1
as in ambitious
having a strong desire for personal advancement
a self-seeking schemer who claimed others' ideas and achievements as his own
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in selfish
overly concerned with one's own desires, needs, or interests
a self-seeking woman who could be counted on to sidetrack all conversation into a discussion of her problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-seeking
Adjective
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For Pawela, the PB Arts Center partnership will serve as a resource for young, ambitious artists and allow for creativity to take root.—
Madison Beveridge,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026 -
The pollution limit — or cap — declines each year, reducing the total amount of emissions in the state and helping California reach its ambitious climate targets, including 100% carbon neutrality by 2045.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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Squandering his Senate seniority and experience at this time, combined with his decision to appoint a newbie to replace him, should that opportunity arise, seems misguided at best and selfish at worst.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
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My grown kids still act like kids — selfish and insensitive.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Created by Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse and John Kander, the musical follows Roxie Hart, an aspiring performer who finds herself at the center of a sensational murder trial in 1920s Chicago.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
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Charismatic hockey star Dean and aspiring actress Allie lead the third Off-Campus book, The Score.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Self-seeking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-seeking. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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