self-immolation

noun

self-im·​mo·​la·​tion ˌself-ˌi-mə-ˈlā-shən 

: a deliberate and willing sacrifice of oneself often by fire

self-immolate

ˌself-ˈi-mə-ˌlāt 

verb

Examples of self-immolation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pryor, though, largely lost his bite after his self-immolation, which the film (and later Pryor’s family) characterized as a suicide attempt. —Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025

Officials would not confirm whether the self-immolation was an act of protest. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

Malcolm Browne’s picture of Thích Quảng Đức’s self-immolation. —Lucy McKeon, New York Times, 3 June 2024

The pervasive self-immolation that results gives the movie enough edge to make up for the weak car stunts, although the bikers’ skull helmets are among the most badass the genre has to offer. —Katie Rife, Vulture, 21 June 2024

Unfortunately, Lewis just so happened to recently find himself at the scene of a murder involving none other than Rose's policeman ex-boyfriend Joel (Kyle Gallner), the person who witnessed Rose's self-immolation in the final minutes of the first movie and damned himself in the process. —Megan McCluskey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

The fruit vendor Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation 14 years ago inspired Tunisians to topple their longtime dictator and kicked off the 2011 Arab Spring. —Ian Bremmer, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024

Anderson steals scenes, but Billie Piper carries the film as Newsnight booker Sam McAlister, who works her bum off to secure Andrew’s public self-immolation. —EW.com, 14 Sep. 2024

In June, Trump survived the first debate of the 2024 Presidential election season owing to the self-immolation of his opponent, Joe Biden. —Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-immolation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration