SELFINTERESTS Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

self-interest

noun

ˌself-ˈin-t(ə-)rəst

Definition of self-interest

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

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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 Our own agenda, our own feelings, our own pride, our own self-interest. — Jayson Jenks, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Characters make choices that go against their own self-interest. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 July 2026 Life, people, and spirit teach us to replace self-interest and self-sufficiency with interdependency, service, and self-sacrifice. — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026 Each saw human nature as susceptible to corruption by base impulses and self-interest. — Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-interest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest

Noun

Cook argues this creates an unintentional selfishness, in which your anxious thoughts distract you from noticing what’s actually going on with the people around you.

— Hannah Harper, HEALTH, 14 Aug. 2026
Sieler’s selfishness, in this sense his ability to get sacks himself, might be best for the team.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of selfishness

Noun

Prioritize Lasting Placements Over Speed In staffing, speed is a vanity metric.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Most Popular In Oona’s bathroom the tiles are from Country Floors, the vintage mirror is from Venice, Italy, and the vanity is an antique chest that was converted to a vanity with fittings by Waterworks.

— Sara Ruffin Costello, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of vanity

Noun

Unlike other music expert podcasts, this one is stripped of any mansplaining or ego — picture just a bunch of music lovers in a room, sitting by a fire and going deep on how young Bob Weir’s vocals sounded in 1970.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2026
Under the black cape, trash can helmet and ample body armor straight out of a low-budget sci-fi film, Binface’s alter-ego is Jon Harvey, a middle-aged comedian who has spent much of the campaign trying to keep his cool during a sweltering summer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of ego

Noun

Kikuko sometimes mistook Shigejiro’s cheerfulness for egoism owing to the distortions produced by her illness.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
There was too much egoism politically for each country to be all together with a unique economy, language and president.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2026