SELFISH Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

selfish

adjective

ˈsel-fish

Definition of selfish

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 In his book, Guidara frames hospitality as a selfish pleasure. — Adam Reiner, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 2026 Cusk was accused of being a selfish child-hater, although critics thought the book was a powerful and honest statement about motherhood. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026 After all, there’s a perverse thrill in watching characters act on selfish impulses, torment a goody-two-shoes, and go a little mad with power. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 But the most terrifying characters are the broken, vain, selfish parents who in one way or another cause their children so much harm. — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selfish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for selfish

Adjective

Any media outlet blindly amplifying Kimmel’s egocentric delusion should insist on proof.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
This preemptive caretaking also prevents people from growing out of egocentric thinking.

— Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Definition of egocentric

Adjective

Her ex-husband, Logan (Owen McDonnell), is a narcissistic man-child, so there’s no help coming from him, nor her elderly parents (one of whom has lost two toes to diabetes).

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026
The actor is set to portray Gilderoy Lockhart, the narcissistic Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of narcissistic

Adjective

This view suggests that the sense of shame was collectively weakened by a series of self-interested actors who shattered the social firmament and opened up the gates to chaos.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
Even Republicans in Congress are now pushing back against some of his most outrageously self-interested moves.

— Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Definition of self-interested

Adjective

Through remarkable archival footage and an incredible range of interviews, Monsters of God digs into the egotistical and ruthless mentalities that supported competing criminal empires and the undercover operations that dismantled them.

— Rory Doherty, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Where some may see this behavior as vain or egotistical, others may perceive it as bold, self-assured and passionate.

— Mallorie Sullivan, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Definition of egotistic

Adjective

Wilson is right that Nolan’s movie lacks Odysseus’ egomaniacal brilliance.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
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