selflessness

noun

as in generosity
a tendency to regard the well-being of others as more important than one's own well-being She was widely admired for her selflessness and dedication to the cause.

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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 selflessness Dolly Parton’s generosity is coming into sharper focus in the days following her death, with new details about her final health battle underscoring the same selflessness that defined so much of her public life. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026 Head coach Jose Fernandez has praised the Wings’ all-time leading scorer for her selflessness and leadership this season. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 It's based on a true story and really shows the selflessness and sacrifice that come with caring for a pet. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026 The running back room is a good example of how a concoction of elite talent and selflessness has paid dividends. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 The governor praised Rampersad for living a life of courage and selflessness. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 31 July 2026 The endeavor ultimately showed how the group’s interdependent dynamic made for constant self-incrimination and insensitivity masquerading as selflessness. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 But that selflessness comes to feel like the point of this lingering, resonantly sad film — above all else, an elegy for lives unseen and unknown. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 July 2026 Second, selflessness was paramount, exemplified by Brunson's contract sacrifice for team flexibility. — Robert Reiss, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selflessness
  1. generosity
  2. kindness
  3. philanthropy
  4. unselfishness
  5. altruism
Noun
  • Flowers’ voice also carries some of Waylon’s wry, bear-hug generosity, that warmth that always makes his music feel like good company.
    — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Dream Ride Experience has grown into an extraordinary celebration of community, generosity, and inclusion.
    — Mark Maglio, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of generosity
Noun
  • If someone consistently behaves with kindness, generosity, and consideration, even when these behaviors require effort or self-restraint, their motives may be less important than their actions.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The singer was so well known for helping out that fake stories are hard to refute, because even extraordinary acts of kindness sound like something Parton would do.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • Yet Parton masterfully stayed out of every fight in the culture wars, preaching love, philanthropy, mentorship and tolerance until her dying breath.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • She was also widely admired for her philanthropy including her Imagination Library program, which has gifted more than 300 million books to children across the world over 31 years.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of philanthropy
Noun
  • The intangibles, the raw strength built lifting in the weight room, and his unselfishness.
    — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Lendeborg’s passing ability and unselfishness will also endear him to Steve Kerr, while his ability to cover ground in transition and run the court should fit well.
    — Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of unselfishness
Noun
  • Patel viewed it more as a high-stakes litmus test of his wealthy audience’s altruism.
    — Anna Tong, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Carol is alternately enchanted and frustrated by her husband’s innocence and altruism, which led him to his not particularly remunerative career as an interpreter.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 July 2026
Definition of altruism

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selflessness
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Cite this Entry

“Selflessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selflessness. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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