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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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 Lost in all of the self-interest is the only thing that horse racing has going for it. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026 Yet Smith never treated short-term self-interest as the sole or overriding goal. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 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 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

The bathroom brings that rich blue into focus with its gilded vanity and various textures.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
Nine-foot stainless-steel screens, originally designed to keep fish from swimming into dams, were reshaped into curved, airfoil-like vanity doors.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of vanity

Noun

The fact that both quarterbacks checked their ego at the door has impressed North Stars coach Rob Pomazak.

— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Sometimes, even when the prosecutor involved almost certainly knows something other than justice is in the works, there is a momentum of ego and bureaucracy that is hard to reverse.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 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