selfishness

noun

self·​ish·​ness ˈsel-fish-nəs 

: the quality or state of being selfish : a concern for one's own welfare or advantage at the expense of or in disregard of others : excessive interest in oneself

We were appalled by the selfishness of their behavior.

Thus most of us are hardwired to conform to a "core morality" that includes protecting our children, dealing more or less fairly with other people, and placing limits on our selfishness.

—Christopher R. Beha

Synonyms

• egocentricity
• egocentrism
• egoism
• egomania
• egotism
• narcissism
• navel-gazing
• self-absorption
• self-centeredness
• self-concern
• self-interest
• self-involvement
• self-preoccupation
• self-regard
• selfness

Examples of selfishness in a Sentence

the only reason for constantly ignoring everyone else's problems is selfishness

Recent Examples on the Web

His legacy, like former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s, will be shattered due to hubris and selfishness, and his first-term accomplishments will be overshadowed. — John Leopold, Stoney Beach A terrific president is no longer fit to serve Thank you for your June 30 editorial. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024

Images accompanied by verbal descriptions of their generosity and kindness resulted in higher scores of facial attractiveness than when the same images were accompanied by negative traits like selfishness and unfriendliness. —Sable Yong, TIME, 28 June 2024

What was the combination of moral conviction, personal confidence and selfishness that propelled Biden, despite the risks, toward his decision to seek another term? —David Ignatius, Washington Post, 28 June 2024

Kinds of Kindness, a triptych of stories starring the same ensemble of actors, is a sledgehammer to the face—a collection of musings on human selfishness and cruelty that feels like the return of Dogtooth Lanthimos. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above