as in selfness
excessive interest in oneself
the novel's major characters all suffer from self-absorption, and they are every bit as insufferable as such people are in real life
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Recent Examples of self-absorption
In the view of Georgie’s daughter, Suke Wolton, who teaches politics at Oxford, her late mother found Foster’s self-absorption a little hard to take.
—
Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
But that feckless self-absorption is rerouted, if not extinguished, by a chance sighting of local resident Charlotte (Alison Pill).
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
But Headland’s play distinguishes itself from the others by investigating these confrontations alongside pride: How does this sin, defined by blinding self-absorption and lack of humility, distort the Dahls’ love?
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Thanksgiving is our emancipation from self-absorption or selfishness.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for self-absorption
Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
But that feckless self-absorption is rerouted, if not extinguished, by a chance sighting of local resident Charlotte (Alison Pill).
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
But Headland’s play distinguishes itself from the others by investigating these confrontations alongside pride: How does this sin, defined by blinding self-absorption and lack of humility, distort the Dahls’ love?
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Thanksgiving is our emancipation from self-absorption or selfishness.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for self-absorption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-absorption
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Those looking for more novelty to tote around this fall might enjoy the vanity cases and tidy little boxes from Hermès and Victoria Beckham.—
Madeline Fass,
Vogue,
6 Aug. 2025
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Upstairs, the primary suite offers a tray ceiling, two walk-in closets, and a spa-like bathroom with a double vanity, a seamless glass shower, and a two-person Jacuzzi tub.—
Brendel Clark,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Validation, insecurity, ego, manipulation, narcissism, all these things that people told me, anger issues ...—
Dayna Haffenden,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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Frequently, it's paired with bad manners, meanness, and narcissism.—
Juli Fraga,
CNBC,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Self-serving bias is built-in to protect your ego unfairly.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Put that duck-slayer ego to the side and don’t be afraid to ask a few questions about conditions and hazards.—
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-absorption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-absorption. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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