as in selfishness
excessive interest in oneself
her degree of self-interest is perhaps best reflected in her favorite topic of conversation—herself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-interest
Did the dog rescue the person for an altruistic reason, or did the assistance come from a place of self-interest?
—
Claire Cameron, Outside Online, 3 Feb. 2025
The message is clear, self-interest negates divergence on issues like the environment, tariffs, health care, and diversity.
—Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2025
Such incentives assume that all the players involved are rational actors who weigh costs and benefits to optimize their self-interest.
—Nafees Hamid, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2025
Believes in Being a Team Player A sign of a potentially good parent is someone who puts their self-interests aside and focuses on the well-being of others, says Chicvak.
—Michelle Felder, Lcsw, Parents, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for self-interest 
Claire Cameron, Outside Online, 3 Feb. 2025
The message is clear, self-interest negates divergence on issues like the environment, tariffs, health care, and diversity.
—Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2025
Such incentives assume that all the players involved are rational actors who weigh costs and benefits to optimize their self-interest.
—Nafees Hamid, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2025
Believes in Being a Team Player A sign of a potentially good parent is someone who puts their self-interests aside and focuses on the well-being of others, says Chicvak.
—Michelle Felder, Lcsw, Parents, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for self-interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest
Noun
-
Some view focusing on one’s goals with determination as an act of selfishness.—
William Jones,
USA TODAY,
18 Jan. 2025
-
To some city residents, the aggravating escapades became a symbol of selfishness in the social media era.—
Mike Baker,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The vanity table looks completely different now, as it has been restored and repainted to a mahogany color and given all-new brass finishes.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Not only is her pick from the beloved legacy brand a staple in vanities everywhere, but the shade itself has its share of avid fans.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
On a team like this, with so many weapons and so many talented players, there is no room for ego.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Films follows Bradley Mack (Sutherland), a Hollywood action star with a bloated ego, who is blindsided when his iconic action franchise is abruptly canceled.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s slogans—America First and Make America Great Again—embody the essence of populism, namely using ideology to advance a political program that is morally unconstrained and driven by collective egoism.—
BÁLINT MADLOVICS,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Psychological egoism is at play here, too, with Jimmy’s extreme emotional investment in getting Grace help.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
23 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near self-interest
Cite this Entry
“Self-interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-interest. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share