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
All because a librarian introduced me to a selfish, spoiled girl who desperately needed a place to belong.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
There’s not much comic zing in the idea that a handful of selfish families rule the world.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
After years as a child and teen star, Moretz comes into her own as the leading lady, expressing an understandably selfish need to explore what could have been, at the risk of blowing up the wedding and her own relationships and friendships.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
Even worse, if that’s possible, is that his psychopathic narcissism adds a selfish mean streak to his adolescent behavior.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for selfish
Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
There’s not much comic zing in the idea that a handful of selfish families rule the world.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
After years as a child and teen star, Moretz comes into her own as the leading lady, expressing an understandably selfish need to explore what could have been, at the risk of blowing up the wedding and her own relationships and friendships.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
Even worse, if that’s possible, is that his psychopathic narcissism adds a selfish mean streak to his adolescent behavior.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for selfish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selfish
Adjective
-
A lot of tennis players are so egocentric.—
Patrick McEnroe,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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But research on egocentric bias shows that leaders vastly overestimate how much audiences care about the company's journey.—
Harrison Monarth,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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While Heuermann could hold the key to previously-unknown details surrounding the inner workings of a serial killer’s mind, Burgess cautions the ability to work alongside the FBI could feed into any narcissistic tendencies that are frequently observed in the most heinous criminals.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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For more than 50 years, mental health literature has taught professionals about narcissistic behavior, with its grandiosity, exaggerated need for praise, inability to admit error, and turning setbacks into personal grievances.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And Chapman booked the role of his wife, Stacy’s younger and most self-centered daughter Paige.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Mar. 2026
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Travel ball is very self-centered.—
Eric Sondheimer
Columnist
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Marty is self-absorbed, forgetful, doesn’t much like people and spends hours online looking for advice about how to be a handyman.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
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The choice to portray her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident.—
Leigh Blickley,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 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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Health officials, starting with Anthony Fauci, had been untrustworthy, self-interested, and aching for power.—
David Blumenthal,
STAT,
24 Mar. 2026
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Yet political polls repeatedly reveal how many citizens--across race, age, gender, and background--still vote from a self-interested posture.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The social enrichment, the egotistical component?—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
14 Mar. 2026
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Please don’t take this in an egotistical way.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
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The nation is captive to his egomaniacal whims.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Selfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selfish. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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