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
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Recent Examples of self-interest
Accounting for self-interest A second theme is the recognition of how human motivations interact with institutions.
—
Jordan Cash, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
Otherwise, journalism may be perceived as misleading the audience, prompting people to turn to other sources of information that may be tainted by self-interest rather than public interest.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 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
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Jordan Cash, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
Otherwise, journalism may be perceived as misleading the audience, prompting people to turn to other sources of information that may be tainted by self-interest rather than public interest.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 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
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest
Noun
-
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
-
The adjectives used to describe vampire Lucy suggest monstrous selfishness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
Quintrell is also a fan of color drenching—specifically, the trim and vanity.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
-
Bathrooms are large, with soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and double vanities, standard even in entry-level room categories.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
For Fergie, joining the military didn’t just appeal to his ego and ambition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
-
In the finale, with Ben’s The Spider alter-ego on the verge of being exposed, Robbie steps in by donning the Spider suit on his behalf — allowing Morris, who grew up a massive Spider-Man fan, to fulfill a kind of childhood dream.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
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 19 Jun. 2026.
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