as in selfishness
excessive interest in oneself
her degree of self-interest is perhaps best reflected in her favorite topic of conversation—herself
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Recent Examples of self-interest
It is supposed to be the first ship in a flotilla that will carry economic development, national self-interests, and the yearning for scientific discovery to the moon.
—
Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
But the challenge in all three April meetings will be to embrace the collaborative spirit for the wider good of the sport, rather than letting self-interest or competitive paranoia get in the way.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The behavior suggests bots may act not from a place of mere self-interest, but with awareness that the bot’s own shutdown would be detrimental to a peer AI, which strengthened motivation to defy user requests.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Believes in being a team player A sign of a potentially good parent is someone who puts their self-interests aside and focuses on the well-being of others, says Chicvak.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
But the challenge in all three April meetings will be to embrace the collaborative spirit for the wider good of the sport, rather than letting self-interest or competitive paranoia get in the way.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The behavior suggests bots may act not from a place of mere self-interest, but with awareness that the bot’s own shutdown would be detrimental to a peer AI, which strengthened motivation to defy user requests.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Believes in being a team player A sign of a potentially good parent is someone who puts their self-interests aside and focuses on the well-being of others, says Chicvak.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest
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
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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
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
Cite this Entry
“Self-interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-interest. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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