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

This is not democracy, this is self-dealing. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026

His and his companies' alleged conflicts of interest, self-dealing and refusal to cooperate with a government recall of dangerous cribs prompted two federal agencies to rebuke him and his companies. —Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 7 May 2026

But the long tail of bets creates a long tail of self-dealing that will be harder for authorities to catch. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 May 2026

Advertisement As in the past, the question now is who will offer Americans a real alternative, including a commitment to stamp out self-dealing in all three branches of the government. —Daniel Weiner, Time, 9 Mar. 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