SELF-SEEKING Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

self-seeking

adjective

Definition of self-seeking

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Eventually, in 1914, Jo succeeded in publishing Vincent’s letters in an ambitious three-volume book, which today is considered one of the most revealing and important works of art history.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
One of France’s most eminent men of letters, Jean d’Ormesson is on excellent form in this ambitious historical novel.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambitious

Adjective

Also on Weekend Update, James Austin Johnson portrayed a selfish Kevin O’Leary, the Shark Tank investor who is backing a massive data center campus in northwest Utah.

— William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2026
That’s also how Violet is thinking about their portrayal of Maureen, whose eccentric performance art and selfish behavior often give the character a bad rap.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of selfish

Adjective

Jennifer Peedom first visited the Himalayas over 20 years ago as an aspiring filmmaker, tagging along with a friend who was working on an Everest expedition.

— Tamara Southward, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
How Victoria’s Secret Is Choosing Its Next Angel The search began in April, when Victoria’s Secret announced an open casting call for aspiring models.

— Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of aspiring

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.

Browse Nearby Words

self-seekers

self-seeking

self-serving

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Self-seeking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-seeking. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of self-seeking

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fervid

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes