selfless

adjective

Definition of selflessnext
as in generous
having or showing great concern for other people and little or no concern for yourself a selfless act selfless dedication to helping the most in need

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of selfless Since his Vuelta win, Kuss has mostly reverted to selfless domestique duties, helping Vingegaard to win the 2025 Vuelta and 2026 Giro. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Is there a more potent aphrodisiac than a man’s selfless admiration of a woman’s talents? — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026 Madeline Delp plays fellow leader Kitty Cone, whose selfless compassion challenges Heumann’s radical approach to the movement. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026 Her life offers a powerful blueprint for selfless advocacy, demonstrating how to use one's position to uplift others and challenge injustice. — Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selfless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selfless
  1. generous
  2. philanthropic
  3. compassionate
  4. charitable
  5. thoughtful
  6. humane
  7. humanitarian
  8. unselfish
Adjective
  • The 87 does, however, introduce a fresh onboard layout to the line, with a beam of 39 feet creating generous living quarters.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The cover lifts up and back, exposing the build platform, resin tank, and vertical motion system with generous access from the front and sides.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of generous
Adjective
  • Some billionaires have also pledged philanthropic contributions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • That would have been even a few more million bucks on top of what already looks more like a philanthropic civic act more than a savvy investment on Tullman’s impassioned part, but an enthusiastic punter can dream.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of philanthropic
Adjective
  • The far left's open borders policy was not fair or compassionate.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Judges could sometimes consider changes to the law when deciding whether to grant compassionate release to inmates who had served at least 10 years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • The cast and crew filmed a charity auction scene to put the spotlight on Bears Care, the team’s charitable arm.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
  • For a business leader in a similar position with resources available to them, the starting point for corporate charitable giving is understanding what the nonprofit organization needs and where the business can contribute effectively.
    — Kenneth Coffey, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of charitable
Adjective
  • Combined with plush cushioning, these thoughtful details make Bombas socks stand out from the average pair.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Weiss, now 69, is widely viewed as a smart and thoughtful straight shooter, skilled at solving organizational problems.
    — Hilarie M. Sheets, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • Nakamura demanded humane and fair treatment of the journalist and for Japanese officials to be allowed to have contact with him, the ministry said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • America needs an immigration system that is orderly, humane, and actually works.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of humane
Adjective
  • Joe sought a presidential pardon in June 2025, and Gia said in August 2026 that the family had filed a humanitarian packet as part of its efforts to bring him home.
    — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The result was a humanitarian crisis that at the time was considered the world’s worst, with some 377,000 people killed, according to the Yemen Data Project, which tracks casualties from Yemen’s various conflicts.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of humanitarian
Adjective
  • Lewandowski's unselfish pass to a wide-open Haile-Selassie at the back post capped the scoring in the 88th minute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Apart from the group’s buy-in to doing the little things, its commitment to unselfish football keeps one of the most dynamic running games in the country from fracturing.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of unselfish

Browse Nearby Words

self-knowledges
selfless
selflessly
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Cite this Entry

“Selfless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selfless. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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