Synonyms of self-interested

self-interested

adjective

as in selfish

overly concerned with one's own desires, needs, or interests

a staggeringly self-interested careerist who is eminently indifferent to anything that does not affect his personal well-being

Synonyms & Similar Words

• selfish
• egocentric
• narcissistic
• self-centered
• solipsistic
• self-serving
• egomaniacal
• self-regarding
• self-concerned
• self-absorbed
• self-involved
• egoistic
• egotistic
• self-seeking
• self-oriented
• self-obsessed
• self-preoccupied
• self-loving
• self-infatuated
• proud
• inner-directed
• smug
• conceited
• vainglorious
• self-important
• self-indulgent
• self-satisfied
• vain
• self-contented
• self-conceited
• complacent
• self-complacent
• self-glorifying
• prideful
• pompous
• self-directed
• self-pleased
• self-opinionated
• overweening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• selfless
• unselfish
• altruistic
• benevolent
• philanthropic
• generous
• humanitarian
• charitable
• magnanimous
• beneficent
• self-sacrificing
• self-denying
• other-directed
• self-forgetful
• greathearted
• self-forgetting
• diffident
• self-giving
• self-doubting
• self-reflective
• self-flagellating
• self-questioning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of self-interested

Even when the effects are more subtle, the relationship between genome and transposon seems to sometimes go deeper than that of a host adapting to an invading, self-interested genetic force. — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026

This view suggests that the sense of shame was collectively weakened by a series of self-interested actors who shattered the social firmament and opened up the gates to chaos. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026

Even Republicans in Congress are now pushing back against some of his most outrageously self-interested moves. — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

For many leaders, the phrase conjures up whispered alliances, opportunistic loyalty, self-interested maneuvering and the slow poisoning of organizational culture. — Harrison Monarth, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

Health officials, starting with Anthony Fauci, had been untrustworthy, self-interested, and aching for power. — David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026

Yet political polls repeatedly reveal how many citizens--across race, age, gender, and background--still vote from a self-interested posture. — Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026

What the files do seem to confirm, though, is the conspiracy theorist’s view of an elite stratosphere, where normal rules don’t apply, everyone knows each other, and ideological differences are subsumed to self-interested motives. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 Feb. 2026

The movie is happy to have Linda commit acts of brutality to preserve her place on top, but what is true equality if not allowing your anti-heroine to be in all ways just as monstrously self-interested as the men? — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026