as in selfness
excessive interest in oneself
she saw in him the kind of self-concern that she thought was unattractive in a partner
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Recent Examples of self-concern
Most actions are small, simple, and self-concerned.
—
Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
But limiting, unhelpful characteristics such as envy, greed, and anxiety often creep in and take over when self-concern takes the lead.
—Elizabeth Mata, Christian Science Monitor, 30 May 2025
How much genuine pathos, and how much savvy self-concern, expediency?
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2024
While our hearts might be able to bleed for billions of strangers at a time, our heads are often preoccupied with more local problems, and the 21st century has exacerbated that dissonance to the point that we’re all locked in a near-constant negotiation between empathy and self-concern.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 June 2024
Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
But limiting, unhelpful characteristics such as envy, greed, and anxiety often creep in and take over when self-concern takes the lead.
—Elizabeth Mata, Christian Science Monitor, 30 May 2025
How much genuine pathos, and how much savvy self-concern, expediency?
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2024
While our hearts might be able to bleed for billions of strangers at a time, our heads are often preoccupied with more local problems, and the 21st century has exacerbated that dissonance to the point that we’re all locked in a near-constant negotiation between empathy and self-concern.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 June 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-concern
Noun
-
Our policies have been defined more by optimism and generosity than by selfishness and cynicism.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Shooting the final sequence from Cassie’s point of view was a last-minute adjustment, which Levinson made the day of filming to emphasize Cassie’s narcissism and selfishness.—
Zoe Papelis,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the vanity hung a neon sign in curlicue magenta script.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Here there are a dual sink vanity, a roomy shower, and a soaking tub.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
In an era when youth sports can sometimes feel corrupted by money, pressure and adult ego, the Lee Corso Legacy Fund serves as a reminder of what sports are supposed to be about in the first place.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
-
And today, as young fighters begin to be compared to him, there is no ego—only gratitude.—
Jorge Ebro
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-concern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-concern. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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