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
Synonyms
Examples of self-interest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Was Franklin largely a horny quip machine whose brilliance was in getting the French to act against their national self-interest, in a foreshadowing of the myopia that led to the French Revolution several years later?
—
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Riyadh’s motivation derives from self-interest rather than U.S. pressure.
—Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Enlightened self-interest typically requires businesses to stay on good terms with those in power, but for Dimon and the Davos set today, that may turn out to be a fatally short-term view.
—Jonathan Mahler Edoardo Ballerini Emma Kehlbeck Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Unite it in projects that transcend narrow self-interest, combine strength with strength, and encourage individuals to see one another not as members of this or that social category, but as fellow human beings with talents all their own.
—Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
Critics accused him of pursuing narrow self-interest and political expediency.
—Susan Haigh, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024
Deploying a weapon in space would be against Russia’s own self-interest, experts argue.
—Georgina Torbet, The Verge, 19 Mar. 2024
Indeed, people are hardwired for both self-interest and altruism.
—Talia Varley, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024
Leaders who act largely or even entirely in their self-interest, as opposed to in our interest, the public interest, are part of everyday life.
—Barbara Kellerman, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Riyadh’s motivation derives from self-interest rather than U.S. pressure.
—Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Enlightened self-interest typically requires businesses to stay on good terms with those in power, but for Dimon and the Davos set today, that may turn out to be a fatally short-term view.
—Jonathan Mahler Edoardo Ballerini Emma Kehlbeck Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Unite it in projects that transcend narrow self-interest, combine strength with strength, and encourage individuals to see one another not as members of this or that social category, but as fellow human beings with talents all their own.
—Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
Critics accused him of pursuing narrow self-interest and political expediency.
—Susan Haigh, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024
Deploying a weapon in space would be against Russia’s own self-interest, experts argue.
—Georgina Torbet, The Verge, 19 Mar. 2024
Indeed, people are hardwired for both self-interest and altruism.
—Talia Varley, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024
Leaders who act largely or even entirely in their self-interest, as opposed to in our interest, the public interest, are part of everyday life.
—Barbara Kellerman, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-interest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near self-interest
Cite this Entry
“Self-interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-interest. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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