as in selfishness
excessive interest in oneself
her degree of self-interest is perhaps best reflected in her favorite topic of conversation—herself
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-interest
The result is a system rigged for expediency and self-interest, not stewardship.
—
Andrew King, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
But make no mistake — the God of this New York underworld is the same Old Testament–esque daddy of Breaking Bad who metes out every act of self-interest with some form of just deserts down the line.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Those objecting to solar and wind for ideological reasons are working against their own self-interest.
—Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
But Wednesday’s military parade, the largest ever held by China, also shows that whatever the emerging world order is, it is governed by harsh realism, self-interest, and opportunism.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Andrew King, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
But make no mistake — the God of this New York underworld is the same Old Testament–esque daddy of Breaking Bad who metes out every act of self-interest with some form of just deserts down the line.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Those objecting to solar and wind for ideological reasons are working against their own self-interest.
—Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
But Wednesday’s military parade, the largest ever held by China, also shows that whatever the emerging world order is, it is governed by harsh realism, self-interest, and opportunism.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest
Noun
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Among their inspiring behaviors, these characters deserve to also express pettiness and selfishness, or, at the very least, more wit.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
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At a moment in American political culture when selfishness abides — when giving is seen as weakness and costly — Redford’s lesson feels timelier than ever.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Happy Valentine’s Day card The vanity in the dressing room of the pop-up is the Easter egg mother lode, according to the Spotify reps, who encouraged us to look closely on it for clues.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
30 Sep. 2025
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This means cleaning your toilet, vanity countertops, and scrubbing the shower door and tiles.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Powers is really a one-time star quarterback Russ Holliday who bowed out of the game in disgrace following an incident where his oversized ego over-engaged with a fan.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
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Well, there are 8 billion people in the world and some of them have very strong egos and some are very rich.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This is different from egoism and self-centeredness.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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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 2 Oct. 2025.
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