as in egotistical
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
The subtle, gentle and emotionally vulnerable Vasquez can deliver in the same moment qualities that are both sweet and cruel, or giving and selfish, which are key traits for a character whose truth is shrouded in memories and misperceptions.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025
To do so would not only be quixotic but appear selfish and self-centered to the hundreds of employees who would lose their jobs, the researchers who would lose their funding, and the hundreds of students who could lose financial aid or have their visas withheld.
—Joe Kottke, NBC news, 27 June 2025
That way, players will see how their selfish and disrespectful actions are hurting the team.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025
How many really good shooters are a little selfish?
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for selfish
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025
To do so would not only be quixotic but appear selfish and self-centered to the hundreds of employees who would lose their jobs, the researchers who would lose their funding, and the hundreds of students who could lose financial aid or have their visas withheld.
—Joe Kottke, NBC news, 27 June 2025
That way, players will see how their selfish and disrespectful actions are hurting the team.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025
How many really good shooters are a little selfish?
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for selfish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selfish
Adjective
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Such an obvious way to exhibit his egotistical personality.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
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Responding to questions from defense lawyer Teny Geragos, Jane agreed that Combs became more apologetic and attentive, less egotistical and cold.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Bang is perfect for this kind of role, playing an imposing figure who can be both aloof and egocentric, and whose grand stature diminishes as the film progresses.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
-
Impulsive, egocentric, and mendacious, Trump has, in the same span, set fire to the integrity of his office.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a name for this kind of emotional confusion: narcissistic abuse.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2025
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Running for two seasons, the off-kilter series centered on fictional billionaire Ellis Dragon (Rob), a narcissistic biotech entrepreneur whose mental health spirals after the loss of his wife.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
People.com,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Billy and Peter systematically built a game-winning team off of statistics and budget, rather than investing the entire franchise's finances into players who were flashy, self-centered, or individually successful.—
Derek Scancarelli,
EW.com,
27 June 2025
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Compiled from Candace Bushnell’s column of the same name from The New York Observer, the book is a dark and bizarre look at dating in 1990s New York, where men are pathologically childish, cruel, and self-centered, and women are domineering, striving, and manipulative.—
Alice Bolin
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Brilliant and brave, the poet and soldier was also entirely self-absorbed, turning the Adriatic city into his own personal manuscript.—
Ed Simon
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
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Is Huda self-absorbed, overdramatic, extremely volatile, overly obsessed with traditional gender roles, and impossible to please?—
Shannon Keating,
Vulture,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
The guitar, like golf, invites solipsistic dissolution masquerading as self-actualization.—
Nick Paumgarten,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
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In fact, that country’s name has become shorthand for a certain solipsistic dread in American popular culture.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Not just for this reason, but also due to the fact she’s been so self-involved the past year.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
2 Feb. 2025
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A little self-involved, but the check clears either way.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
16 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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The potential for self-serving bias and belief bias are evident.—
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky,
Forbes,
27 Mar. 2023
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For officials in China and Russia, de facto adversaries of the United States, the Iraq War is an easy precedent to put forward to shoot down Washington’s talking points, no matter how self-serving and cynical that may be.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
Washington Post,
17 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Selfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selfish. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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