self-centered
adjective
self-cen·tered
ˌself-ˈsen-tərd 
1
: independent of outside force or influence : self-sufficient
2
: concerned solely with one's own desires, needs, or interests
self-centeredly
adverb
self-centeredness
noun
Examples of self-centered in a Sentence
a group of self-centered residents with no interest or involvement in their community
Recent Examples on the Web
Between the ages of 6 and 9, children begin shifting from being self-centered to noticing the emotions and perspectives of others.
—
Ekaterina Muravevskaia, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Going viral doesn’t come without some backlash however, as Colson has been called selfish and self-centered by certain internet users.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Sep. 2025
Colletti played Chase Adams, a charming, yet self-centered, aspiring actor.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Robbie is a complicated man, at once incredibly compassionate and deeply self-centered, philosophical and brooding but also impulsive and hot-tempered.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Investing time and effort into connecting with your inner sea might seem self-centered.
—Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
People who lack empathy are also very self-centered and a relationship with one can be exhausting and suffocating.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
After making a career for himself as a child actor, Hoult took on more serious, mature roles, such as the role of Tony Stonem, a manipulative and self-centered antihero, in Skins.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
People are becoming more self-centered, and as a result, excluding the other, otherness.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
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.
Ekaterina Muravevskaia, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Going viral doesn’t come without some backlash however, as Colson has been called selfish and self-centered by certain internet users.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Sep. 2025
Colletti played Chase Adams, a charming, yet self-centered, aspiring actor.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Robbie is a complicated man, at once incredibly compassionate and deeply self-centered, philosophical and brooding but also impulsive and hot-tempered.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Investing time and effort into connecting with your inner sea might seem self-centered.
—Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
People who lack empathy are also very self-centered and a relationship with one can be exhausting and suffocating.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
After making a career for himself as a child actor, Hoult took on more serious, mature roles, such as the role of Tony Stonem, a manipulative and self-centered antihero, in Skins.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
People are becoming more self-centered, and as a result, excluding the other, otherness.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-centered.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-centered. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share