self-interest

noun

self-in·​ter·​est ˌself-ˈin-t(ə-)rəst How to pronounce self-interest (audio)
-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-interested
ˌself-ˈin-t(ə-)rə-stəd How to pronounce self-interest (audio)
-ˈin-tə-ˌre-
-ˈin-ˌtre-;
-ˈin-tər-
adjective
self-interestedly adverb
self-interestedness noun

Examples of self-interest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Leaders who act largely or even entirely in their self-interest, as opposed to in our interest, the public interest, are part of everyday life. Barbara Kellerman, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 Nevertheless, arguably, Musk's advocacy for a development pause in AI might have been driven by self-interest – to afford him additional time to advance his own AI endeavors. Nizan Geslevich Packin, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 This is where the accusation of self-interest comes to bear. Sam Dean, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 From a game-theoretic perspective, nodes allocate resources based on local knowledge and self-interest, leading to suboptimal social outcomes and limited network performance. Max (chong) Li, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Still, the movie is smart enough to ask: How much denial and self-interest are at the root of Sharon’s selflessness? Jen Yamato, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2024 For political sustainability and strategic self-interest, American statecraft should point toward a world consistent with its values. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 If anything, the authors suggested, most Americans subordinated conscience to quotidian self-interest. Sam Roberts, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Restoration of the traditional civic mission of public universities — providing a blend of liberal-arts and American civic education to future leaders — offers even left-leaning administrators and trustees a path toward meeting their enlightened self-interest. Paul O. Carrese, National Review, 13 Feb. 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.

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-interest was in 1595

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-interest

noun
self-in·​ter·​est
ˈsel-ˈfin-trəst,
-ˈfint-ə-rəst
1
: a concern for one's own advantage
acted out of self-interest and fear
2
: one's own interest or advantage

More from Merriam-Webster on self-interest

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