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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
The department says Faulkner's actions represent the courage, selflessness, and commitment shown every day by firefighters across the city.
—
Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Paige Tekippe, Timothy Tekippe and Alan Kindall were awarded with plaques by ISP on Friday, with Winans saying they were being recognized for courage, selflessness and the commitment to the safety of others that day.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2026
These include positive energy and inspiration, selflessness, continuous learning, grit, levity, and stewardship.
—Anand Kumar, STAT, 21 Apr. 2026
The legend behind the festival tells the story of King Mahabali and his selflessness and devotion to the Hindu god Vishnu.
—Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
Betts credited the team’s selflessness, how players sacrificed for one another, for the good of the team.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
There’s far more to love — vulnerability, courage, selflessness — just as there’s far more to the Dead.
—Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
Gray’s selflessness and willingness to play wherever his manager needs him are admirable but the long-term effects of this on his development need to be considered.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
With acts of courage, themes of selflessness, and standing in the gap for others, this movie is a challenging and beautiful watch for the entire family.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Paige Tekippe, Timothy Tekippe and Alan Kindall were awarded with plaques by ISP on Friday, with Winans saying they were being recognized for courage, selflessness and the commitment to the safety of others that day.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2026
These include positive energy and inspiration, selflessness, continuous learning, grit, levity, and stewardship.
—Anand Kumar, STAT, 21 Apr. 2026
The legend behind the festival tells the story of King Mahabali and his selflessness and devotion to the Hindu god Vishnu.
—Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
Betts credited the team’s selflessness, how players sacrificed for one another, for the good of the team.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
There’s far more to love — vulnerability, courage, selflessness — just as there’s far more to the Dead.
—Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
Gray’s selflessness and willingness to play wherever his manager needs him are admirable but the long-term effects of this on his development need to be considered.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
With acts of courage, themes of selflessness, and standing in the gap for others, this movie is a challenging and beautiful watch for the entire family.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selflessness
Noun
-
As part of a long-standing initiative to grow local philanthropy, Big Day of Giving is a 24-hour giving challenge that encourages the generosity of small and large donations to the organizations that provide support for the area’s most vulnerable communities.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
-
Build something sturdy enough that generosity becomes a choice rather than a sacrifice.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
So much kindness to me and my whole family.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
10 May 2026
-
My mother's kindness had a powerful impact on me.—
Esther Ndumi Ngumbi,
NPR,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
As part of a long-standing initiative to grow local philanthropy, Big Day of Giving is a 24-hour giving challenge that encourages the generosity of small and large donations to the organizations that provide support for the area’s most vulnerable communities.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
-
The festival is sponsored by Las Damas, a women’s nonprofit promoting the arts, philanthropy and education.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Star power was required, but unselfishness defined the locker room.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In a small act of unselfishness, Celebrini then passed the puck to Collin Graf, only to have the Sharks winger send it right back to the still-teenaged wunderkind, who quickly fired the puck into the open net with a defender bearing down on him for his second goal of the game.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The company accepted charitable grants, including thirty million dollars from what was then called Open Philanthropy, a hub of the effective-altruism movement whose commitments included supporting the distribution of mosquito nets to the global poor.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Biblical scholar Bart Ehrman contends that our modern sense of altruism can be traced back to the radical shift in ethical thinking sparked by Jesus' teachings.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Selflessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selflessness. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
