as in selfish
overly concerned with one's own desires, needs, or interests
a self-absorbed man who seems utterly oblivious to the social problems of his own urban neighborhood
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Recent Examples of self-absorbed
The choice to portray her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
In Tim Burton’s breakthrough film, O’Hara played tragically hip Delia Deetz, the pretentious and self-absorbed stepmother of Winona Ryder’s Lydia.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Benedict doesn’t realize that the woman who has entirely captured his attention is Sophie, the maid for the formidable Araminta Gun (Katie Leung), aka Lady Penwood and her daughters, the vicious and self-absorbed Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) and the sweet but simple Posy Li (Isabella Wei).
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Jan. 2026
For the moment at least, no one can accuse me of being self-absorbed and neglectful, either.
—Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-absorbed
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
In Tim Burton’s breakthrough film, O’Hara played tragically hip Delia Deetz, the pretentious and self-absorbed stepmother of Winona Ryder’s Lydia.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Benedict doesn’t realize that the woman who has entirely captured his attention is Sophie, the maid for the formidable Araminta Gun (Katie Leung), aka Lady Penwood and her daughters, the vicious and self-absorbed Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) and the sweet but simple Posy Li (Isabella Wei).
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Jan. 2026
For the moment at least, no one can accuse me of being self-absorbed and neglectful, either.
—Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-absorbed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-absorbed
selfish
Adjective
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Squandering his Senate seniority and experience at this time, combined with his decision to appoint a newbie to replace him, should that opportunity arise, seems misguided at best and selfish at worst.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
My grown kids still act like kids — selfish and insensitive.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-absorbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-absorbed. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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