self-interest
noun
self-in·ter·est
ˌself-ˈin-t(ə-)rəst 
-ˈin-tə-ˌrest,
-ˌtrest;
-ˈin-tərst
1
: a concern for one's own advantage and well-being
acted out of self-interest and fear
2
: one's own interest or advantage
self-interest requires that we be generous in foreign aid
self-interestedly
adverb
self-interestedness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of self-interest in a Sentence
her degree of self-interest is perhaps best reflected in her favorite topic of conversation—herself
Recent Examples on the Web
In keeping with the spirit of the times, of course, City has dressed this up in populist rhetoric about overturning a hated and self-interested elite, and has thrown in a healthy dose of flawed libertarian economics.
—
Rory Smith, New York Times, 7 June 2024
The black smoke of partisanship and self-interest (perhaps all too similar to Wells’ War of the Worlds) only has to corrupt a few of the governing elite for our constitutional defenses to fail.
—Kermit Roosevelt Iii, TIME, 31 May 2024
Indeed, the defining feature of Trump’s worldview is his belief that the United States has no obligation to pursue anything larger than its own self-interest, narrowly construed.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 27 May 2024
One need only consider how aid to Ukraine has been derailed by all kinds of self-interest politics in recent months.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2024
Students 60 years ago had more self-interest in protesting, with friends dying overseas and a draft in effect.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 13 May 2024
While tech executives’ warnings not to stifle innovation are typically made in their own self-interest, both the CTA officials and Lamont have a point.
—Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2014
But the conflict within the council has led to lost time while adding to doubts about whether the formula of a multi-headed executive will work in Haiti, and whether the group can put aside self-interest and political rivalries to address the various crises confronting Haiti.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024
The pragmatic self-interest that drove historic compromises by previous Iranian leaders, evident in former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani’s push to end the war with Iraq in 1988 and former President Hassan Rouhani’s determination to achieve a nuclear truce, has dissipated.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2024
Rory Smith, New York Times, 7 June 2024
The black smoke of partisanship and self-interest (perhaps all too similar to Wells’ War of the Worlds) only has to corrupt a few of the governing elite for our constitutional defenses to fail.
—Kermit Roosevelt Iii, TIME, 31 May 2024
Indeed, the defining feature of Trump’s worldview is his belief that the United States has no obligation to pursue anything larger than its own self-interest, narrowly construed.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 27 May 2024
One need only consider how aid to Ukraine has been derailed by all kinds of self-interest politics in recent months.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2024
Students 60 years ago had more self-interest in protesting, with friends dying overseas and a draft in effect.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 13 May 2024
While tech executives’ warnings not to stifle innovation are typically made in their own self-interest, both the CTA officials and Lamont have a point.
—Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2014
But the conflict within the council has led to lost time while adding to doubts about whether the formula of a multi-headed executive will work in Haiti, and whether the group can put aside self-interest and political rivalries to address the various crises confronting Haiti.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024
The pragmatic self-interest that drove historic compromises by previous Iranian leaders, evident in former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani’s push to end the war with Iraq in 1988 and former President Hassan Rouhani’s determination to achieve a nuclear truce, has dissipated.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-interest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near self-interest
Cite this Entry
“Self-interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-interest. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
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