as in egocentric
overly concerned with one's own desires, needs, or interests
a selfish desire to succeed at the expense of others
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of selfish
Squandering his Senate seniority and experience at this time, combined with his decision to appoint a newbie to replace him, should that opportunity arise, seems misguided at best and selfish at worst.
—
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
My grown kids still act like kids — selfish and insensitive.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Obsession shows how Bear’s selfish wish removes Nikki’s agency and backfires horribly, destroying his life and eroding Nikki’s sense of self.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
But really, that's pretty selfish.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for selfish
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
My grown kids still act like kids — selfish and insensitive.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Obsession shows how Bear’s selfish wish removes Nikki’s agency and backfires horribly, destroying his life and eroding Nikki’s sense of self.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
But really, that's pretty selfish.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for selfish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selfish
Adjective
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This evolution moves away from egocentric, top-down control toward an ecosystemic consciousness that centers on shared responsibility, psychological safety and societal fairness.—
Lourdes Mestre,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
The Miniature Wife Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen star in this dramedy about an egocentric scientist on the verge of a breakthrough who accidentally shrinks his wife, a Pulitzer-winning author who hasn’t written a lick in more than a decade.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Who hasn’t nodded along in recognition while listening to a story about a nightmare roommate, or had a narcissistic relative who makes everything about himself?—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
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In reality, narcissistic pathology can’t be defined by a single behavior, nor can it be identified based on a single interaction.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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His new wife is demanding and self-centered, with clear narcissistic traits.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
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That’s a big step forward for the character who’s sometimes been a little self-centered in the past.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Sarah Michelle Gellar’s running gag as the celebrity everyone’s too self-absorbed to recognize, for example, exemplifies the film’s willingness to hold nothing sacred, with the actors invited to follow suit.—
Todd Gilchrist,
Variety,
10 June 2026
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Nio Russell is a vocal standout as Joanne, the brainy but long-suffering girlfriend of the promiscuous and self-absorbed performance artist Maureen, played with endearing confidence by Michael Amira Temple.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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Three hundred high school players gather at a remote facility to compete in ruthless trials where only one will emerge as the world’s greatest and most egoistic striker.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For many leaders, the phrase conjures up whispered alliances, opportunistic loyalty, self-interested maneuvering and the slow poisoning of organizational culture.—
Harrison Monarth,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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The first revolution demolished the neoliberal picture of human nature, in which people are the rational, self-interested maximizers of economic textbooks.—
Nick Hanauer,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Hathaway gets the most fun part to play in this formidable ensemble, starring as egotistical actress Daphne Kluger, who starts as the mark but ends up enlisting among the thieves.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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Demolishes the East Wing of the White House on an egotistical whim?—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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His insatiable desire to brand everything—from boats, to ballrooms, to bills—exceeds some of the most egomaniacal leaders in history, but these are not new qualities.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
20 May 2026
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In the fifth and final season of The Boys, the world is completely subject to Homelander’s erratic, egomaniacal whims.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Selfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selfish. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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