as in selfishness
excessive interest in oneself
her degree of self-interest is perhaps best reflected in her favorite topic of conversation—herself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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-interest
As drawn here, the characters are an entirely plausible, fallible mix of peevishness, self-interest and self-sacrifice, especially the parents who learn the most about themselves and each other when push finally comes to shove.
—
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
The hope is that the new independent football regulator will shift the balance and implement rules unhampered by self-interest.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
This is a person who's looking out purely for their own self-interest, self-preservation.
—ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
The result is a system rigged for expediency and self-interest, not stewardship.
—Andrew King, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
The hope is that the new independent football regulator will shift the balance and implement rules unhampered by self-interest.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
This is a person who's looking out purely for their own self-interest, self-preservation.
—ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
The result is a system rigged for expediency and self-interest, not stewardship.
—Andrew King, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest
Noun
-
My downfall was rooted in my selfishness.—
Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
My downfall was rooted in my selfishness.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Even as the young man attempts to ignore the din of city life outside his window, his fear of losing his vanity is ultimately what disrupts his fantasies.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
15 Oct. 2025
-
While Lee road trips around Osage County, Betty Jo sits at the vanity, deciding whether to put on her wedding ring.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Prior to the game, Jenkins’ biggest issue was likely a bruised ego.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Both investors emphasized Chavarria’s authenticity and lack of ego as key factors in their decision to back him.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This is different from egoism and self-centeredness.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
In advance of the ceremony, the finalists were asked an essential question: Orwell claimed that prose writers have four ‘great motivations’ (putting aside the need to earn a living): sheer egoism; aesthetic enthusiasm; historical impulse; and political purpose.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-interest. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share