SELF-CENTEREDNESS Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

self-centeredness

noun

as in selfishness

excessive interest in oneself in her extreme self-centeredness she hadn't even noticed that her friend was depressed

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of self-centeredness There’s a fine line between self-care and self-centeredness. — Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 2 June 2026 This same self-centeredness compels his girlfriend (Olivia Thirlby) to move out of their modest apartment without warning. — Judy Berman, Time, 26 Jan. 2026 Where Grande really shines is in showing Glinda’s growing realization of this and whether to accept it, of how her self-centeredness has hurt other people — including her best friend, who is now running for her life. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Nov. 2025 This is different from egoism and self-centeredness. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 Christ reveals that we can’t be held hostage by inharmony, self-centeredness, or bitterness, in ourselves or others. — Liz Butterfield Wallingford, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-centeredness

Noun

Feelings from optimism to selfishness to lust are all neatly captured with song and dance.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026
After Portugal’s 1-1 tie against DR Congo, Henry explained the selfishness of Cristiano Ronaldo’s movement, not opening space for a teammate.

— Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 18 June 2026

Definition of selfishness

Noun

Visitors would find artifacts such as the candlestand, where Washington chose humility over ego and began the peaceful transfer of power.

— Lonnie G. Bunch III, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
The Aussie needed to have some amount of ego to achieve that confidence, something Wright didn’t have or realize.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026

Definition of ego

Noun

In conclusion, the distance between narcissism and healthy philautia is extraordinary because of the difference in values and goals of the two concepts.

— Gregory Stebbins, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Desirée can so often come off a bundle of cliches of actresses of a certain age, all narcissism, hedonism and irresponsibility.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

Definition of narcissism

Noun

There was too much egoism politically for each country to be all together with a unique economy, language and president.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2026
McGuane also reminded me that Hemingway was, to put it politely, a complicated personality, a domineering figure prone to brawling, affairs, and cask-strength egoism.

— Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025

Definition of egoism

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self-centered

self-centeredness

self-collected

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“Self-centeredness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-centeredness. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of self-centeredness

noun

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