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

• selfness
• vanity
• egoism
• ego
• pridefulness

Examples of selfishness in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Diamandis told me that our hardwired inclinations toward selfishness did trouble him sometimes, in the middle of the night. —Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025

McMullen explained selfishness manifests in hogging a machine and taking way too long to find a perfect shot. —Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025

As selfishness is normalized, calling people out for their bad behavior has become more fraught. —Shannon Doyne, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

The players, in particular, face more punishing obstacles that only emphasize their selfishness. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for selfishness

• unselfishness