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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-interest
If Democrats win control, the first priority must be fiscal responsibility, lowering costs for working families and restoring civility — working together for Americans instead of self-interest or extreme ideology.
—
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Call it enlightened self-interest.
—Big Think, 7 May 2026
Our self-interest has usually been of the sensible sort.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Beyond that, he’s motivated by pure self-interest.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Call it enlightened self-interest.
—Big Think, 7 May 2026
Our self-interest has usually been of the sensible sort.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Beyond that, he’s motivated by pure self-interest.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest
Noun
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Claire’s elective death therefore remains a problematic choice for some viewers, an act of vainglorious selfishness from a woman who was never terribly nice to begin with.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
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The adjectives used to describe vampire Lucy suggest monstrous selfishness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 May 2026
Noun
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Moradillo sofas, Ethnicraft oak furniture, Inbani vanities, Catalano fixtures and handwoven rugs bring European polish to a distinctly Bahamian setting.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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An extended chapter of Hector on a shoot in Argentina could stand by itself as a wonderful short story about male ego, vanity, desire and loyalty.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Heightening the conflict is the fact that both the host and the guest are world-famous writers, each with a titanic ego.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
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In candid photos and videos shared on her Instagram Stories on June 7, Cuoco revealed that Matilda has embraced a Spider-Man alter-ego while showing off her mini-me’s tennis skills.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
Noun
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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
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McGuane also reminded me that Hemingway was, to put it politely, a complicated personality, a domineering figure prone to brawling, affairs, and cask-strength egoism.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-interest. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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