as in selfishness
excessive interest in oneself
her degree of self-interest is perhaps best reflected in her favorite topic of conversation—herself
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Recent Examples of self-interest
Prosecutors told the court that Vallow Daybell had acted out of self-interest, not self-preservation, with plans to cash in on her estranged husband’s $1 million life insurance policy.
—
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
For other countries, this coincidence of self-interest and multilateralism—previously a defining characteristic of U.S. hegemony—is vital for sustaining international cooperation.
—Ngaire Woods, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Much of this work is done out of economic self-interest.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
The catalyst is a shift back to international economic policies driven by narrow self-interest—a fundamental change that will have lasting implications.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
For other countries, this coincidence of self-interest and multilateralism—previously a defining characteristic of U.S. hegemony—is vital for sustaining international cooperation.
—Ngaire Woods, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Much of this work is done out of economic self-interest.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
The catalyst is a shift back to international economic policies driven by narrow self-interest—a fundamental change that will have lasting implications.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest
Noun
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Sometimes, like Jimmy, parents fail, and choose our own selfishness over our children.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
27 Feb. 2025
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In seven preceding episodes, Season 3 zoomed in on the insecurities, selfishness, and devious choices of a wide-ranging ensemble cast.—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Saint Laurent’s Gaby vanity bag and Miu Miu’s suede pouch nabbed the No. 4 and No. 5 spots respectively.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
1 May 2025
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The cosmic dateline sounds like a billionaire’s vanity project in an area where the man and his galactic dreams already enjoy broad support from residents and state and local officials.—
Jim Vertuno,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Perhaps the defining factor in a rousing year was the Dutchman’s ability to leave his ego at the door.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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An Uncomfortable Situation For Meloni and the Vatican Vatican officials have likely had a difficult time planning the seating for the ceremony, trying to avoid having sparring leaders next to each other and not hurt anyone's ego by not giving them the front row.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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Psychological egoism is at play here, too, with Jimmy’s extreme emotional investment in getting Grace help.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
23 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Self-interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-interest. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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