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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O'Connor does a great job of embodying the character of Mooney, who is not the ambitious criminal the film's title suggests.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Oct. 2025 -
In the moment that summarizes one of Good News’ thematic throughlines, Nobody is speaking to Seo Go-myung (Weak Hero Class 1’s Hong Kyung), an ambitious Air Force lieutenant who is as close to an audience surrogate as Good News gets.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The constant demands of parenting can make personal goals feel secondary or even selfish.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Oct. 2025
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Yet her relationship with Ed is entirely selfish.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Reflecting on his meteoric rise from construction sites, Grogan tells the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs that real-world experience—not lectures—shapes success.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
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Starring opposite Gwyneth Paltrow, Chalamet is slated to play Marty Mauser (a role seemingly inspired by professional ping pong player Marty Reisman), who’s an aspiring ping-pong player with dreams of stardom.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
8 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Self-seeking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-seeking. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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