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
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
The expansion of the humanitarian system was untidy and asymmetric, driven by the organizational self-interest of the bigger international NGOs and UN agencies involved in crisis response and their desire for greater market share.
—
Time, 26 Feb. 2026
Dismantling these systems not only threatens health, but also undermines trust, often for reasons that have more to do with self-interest than science, with seeming imperviousness to the real costs in human lives lost.
—Chelsea Clinton, Vanity Fair, 24 Feb. 2026
But every answer involved an underlying consideration for others, rather than acting only out of self-interest.
—Catherine Newman, Parents, 22 Feb. 2026
That approach has forced Canada and other medium-size nations to pursue the same transactional self-interest, Carney noted.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
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Time, 26 Feb. 2026
Dismantling these systems not only threatens health, but also undermines trust, often for reasons that have more to do with self-interest than science, with seeming imperviousness to the real costs in human lives lost.
—Chelsea Clinton, Vanity Fair, 24 Feb. 2026
But every answer involved an underlying consideration for others, rather than acting only out of self-interest.
—Catherine Newman, Parents, 22 Feb. 2026
That approach has forced Canada and other medium-size nations to pursue the same transactional self-interest, Carney noted.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Cite this Entry
“Self-interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-interest. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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