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 That selfless approach is what MLB’s premier organization and latest dynasty loves most about Muncy. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 For his contributions to reforming education in Ladakh, Wangchuk was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award, a prestigious Asia-wide honor presented for selfless and transformative service to society, in 2018. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026 Organ and whole body donation are often understood as the ultimate selfless acts — a grieving family using their loss to improve someone else’s life, or further scientific research. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 13 July 2026 But there were hero moments here too, the same refusal to lose, the same team-work, the same selfless effort in exhausting physical conditions. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 July 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
  • Order eggs Benedict topped with two generous heaps of caviar and no one blinks.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The Southeast Asian nation has long justified its generous political salaries as an important measure to curb corruption, which is rampant among some neighboring countries.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 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
  • Libra September 23 – October 22 The routine that keeps draining you may need a more compassionate rhythm.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The vaccine is being used under a compassionate-use program, which allows a medical product to be used in a serious disease situation even though it has not been specifically approved for that particular use.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • The league could expand its existing community programs by partnering with food banks, funding mobile food pantries, providing meals to children during the offseason and directing team charitable dollars toward local food-security programs.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Melissa Sue Gerrits | Getty Images Federal law provides tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) to organizations that operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.
    — Greg Iacurci,Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of charitable
Adjective
  • The fall 2026 collections leaned into this expression of individuality, showcasing an array of accents that encourage thoughtful experimentation.
    — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Every element is artful, thoughtful—a genuine expression of the Sersales’ enduring love affair with contemporary art and cultural storytelling.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • Luckily, there are plenty of humane ways to encourage them to relocate.
    — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the new parent, whom the humane society dubbed Mercy, was emaciated, weak and struggling to breathe, with wound abscesses on her swollen face and mouth.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of humane
Adjective
  • Sudan’s civil war, a conflict credibly described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, has seen violence matched only by the belligerents’ rapacity in pillaging the country’s riches.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • That blockade has perpetuated a humanitarian crisis in much of Yemen.
    — Becky Anderson, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of humanitarian
Adjective
  • And even with an unselfish roster, what does the offensive hierarchy look like?
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Bellingham struck the post and again went close in the second half, before Güler competed the scoring thanks to unselfish play from Vinícius Júnior.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 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 11 Sep. 2026.

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