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
Christopher R. BehaExamples of selfishness in a Sentence
the only reason for constantly ignoring everyone else's problems is selfishness
Recent Examples on the Web
Hirschhorn’s Josh manages to be endearing even when the character’s messiness and selfishness overwhelm him.
—Chad Jones, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
Approach LinkedIn DMs with service instead of selfishness, so sales become a natural byproduct of connection.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Batemen gets a few moving monologues, but Vince’s heavier dose of morbid witticisms aren’t enough to overcome his pervasive selfishness and abominable behavior (nor is a late-arriving revelation about his past).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
With Ryan O’Neal as the conniving fool who social-climbs and lies his way through war and peace, Kubrick matches perfectly paced, often-hilarious satire with a sanguine view of human selfishness and impermanence.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
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Chad Jones, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
Approach LinkedIn DMs with service instead of selfishness, so sales become a natural byproduct of connection.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Batemen gets a few moving monologues, but Vince’s heavier dose of morbid witticisms aren’t enough to overcome his pervasive selfishness and abominable behavior (nor is a late-arriving revelation about his past).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
With Ryan O’Neal as the conniving fool who social-climbs and lies his way through war and peace, Kubrick matches perfectly paced, often-hilarious satire with a sanguine view of human selfishness and impermanence.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for selfishness
Cite this Entry
“Selfishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfishness. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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