as in selfish
overly concerned with one's own desires, needs, or interests
she's just another self-serving politician who puts her own ambitions above the public good
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Recent Examples of self-serving
To reject any anomaly, anything mysterious or unusual, Kawamura suggests, is to succumb to a soul-crushing, self-serving conformity—and to withhold possibilities of decency, discovery, and love that make any game worth playing, life very much included.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
In the original fairytale, the stepmother is portrayed as cold, self-serving and wicked, but Hochhauser recognized and uplifted a different version of the character.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Yet, some are sticking with this self-serving loser.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
The vigilantes who hanged her were self-serving cattlemen.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
But the truth is that none of Monica’s parodic elements would matter that much if the music felt like a genuine experiment rather than a self-serving, big-budget attempt to deepen his image.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026
Anybody so certain of anything — except maybe that the markets will be open for trading tomorrow — is acting out of their own self-serving interests to drive fear and gain more attention.
—Todd Gordon, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
But this remains a polling no-brainer for lawmakers, who are tired of being seen as self-serving greed monsters.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
Go hard at the self-serving Secret Society of the AG, Senate president and House speaker blocking the will of the people.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
In the original fairytale, the stepmother is portrayed as cold, self-serving and wicked, but Hochhauser recognized and uplifted a different version of the character.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Yet, some are sticking with this self-serving loser.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
The vigilantes who hanged her were self-serving cattlemen.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
But the truth is that none of Monica’s parodic elements would matter that much if the music felt like a genuine experiment rather than a self-serving, big-budget attempt to deepen his image.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026
Anybody so certain of anything — except maybe that the markets will be open for trading tomorrow — is acting out of their own self-serving interests to drive fear and gain more attention.
—Todd Gordon, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
But this remains a polling no-brainer for lawmakers, who are tired of being seen as self-serving greed monsters.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
Go hard at the self-serving Secret Society of the AG, Senate president and House speaker blocking the will of the people.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-serving
selfish
Adjective
-
Should Booker have been more selfish?—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Over the years, fans have on social media have called out Nate’s selfish behavior in his relationship with Andy, seemingly upset with her for pursuing a career in fashion.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-serving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-serving. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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