self-dealing

noun

self-deal·​ing ˈself-ˈdē-liŋ 

: engagement in a transaction for the benefit of oneself rather than for the benefits of someone to whom one owes a fiduciary duty

Examples of self-dealing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The initiative presents itself as targeting problematic practices within the personal injury legal system, with language attacking contingency fee arrangements that the company characterizes as self-dealing and designed to artificially inflate medical claims. —Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026

And on self-dealing, members pointed to DHS not using the customary bidding process surrounding an ad campaign. —Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026

The articles of impeachment accuse Noem of obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust and self-dealing following nationwide protests against the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in American cities as part of President Donald Trump's immigration initiatives. —Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Jan. 2026

While Pivotal Philanthropies is bound by strict 501(c)(3) rules governing minimum payouts, self-dealing restrictions, and detailed reporting requirements, as an LLC, Pivotal Ventures operations aren’t subject to strict reporting, giving it more freedom, flexibility, and anonymity than a nonprofit. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-dealing

• annealing
• appealing
• concealing
• congealing
• freewheeling
• repealing
• revealing
• unfeeling
• ceiling
• dealing
• feeling
• healing

Legal Definition

self-dealing

noun

self-deal·​ing

ˈself-ˈdē-liŋ

: engagement in a transaction that is intended primarily to benefit one's self or the narrow interests of a few (as corporate insiders) rather than those to whom one owes a duty by virtue of one's position

self-dealing by a trustee

self-dealing adjective