Definition of self-seekernext
as in opportunist
one who does things only for his own benefit and with little regard for right and wrong he's a self-seeker who is nice only to people who can do him favors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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-seeker Thus the self-seekers and the doctrinaires were drawn together into an alliance to maintain the status quo, and all its abuses and inequalities were made sacrosanct. Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-seeker
Noun
  • The defense sought to depict the victims as opportunists out for cash, a narrative that didn’t stand up, with the feds pointing out only two of the women were involved in a litany of outstanding lawsuits.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Although burly striker Pio Esposito equalized with an opportunist finish 10 minutes later, the home side picked off Inter with two goals in quick succession in the second half.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Fittingly, the song’s thumping beat is heard twice, real loud, in Rosebush Pruning, Karim Aїnouz’s high-gloss, pitch-dark satire about an American family described by one of its scions as mediocre, vapid egotists, who will never have to work thanks to a large inheritance.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The former vice-president’s characterizations of peers such as Pete Buttigieg (talented but too gay for the America to accept as her running mate), and Josh Shapiro (an egoist) are not particularly juicy, but have already caused bad blood.
    Book Marks September 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
  • His characters come off as feisty egoists who enjoy sparring and comparing the size of their ambitions.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Games against real teams will reveal far more about the Magic’s mindset than any blowout over a bottom-feeder.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The Warriors already might be too far ahead in the standings to catch bottom-feeders like the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers in the race to maximize their draft-lottery odds.
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Bruce, as the stunt shark built to menace them is nicknamed, is acting up and delaying the acting itself.
    Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
  • For context, however, the one-in-4,200 risk of danger to anyone is higher than the chances of a single person being struck by lightning in their lifetime or of a scuba diver or surfer getting bitten by a shark.
    Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Self-seeker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-seeker. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

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