Self Denial – A decision not to do or have something you want

(Pronounced self dih-nye-uhl)

To remember the definition of the word self-denial, use the following mnemonic:

For himself, he denied (self denial) all the things he needed. He didn't want help or equipment even though he needed it.

Examples of self denial in a sentence

Not eating the cake was an act of self denial, he desperately wanted a slice, but knew he shouldn't eat any. 

Self denial was never a strong point for him, he couldn't help buying anything that caught her attention, even if he couldn't afford it.

It was his self denial that had gotten him into this mess, he didn't buy the new camping equipment he wanted, and now he was stuck in the rain with a broken old tent for the night.