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.

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 But hospitality ideologues like Guidara and Meyer never like to talk about what happens when that selflessness becomes self-destructive. — Adam Reiner, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 2026 Mostly, however, smokejumpers described deep bonds of trust and friendship with their jumper brothers and sisters, and intense pride in their culture, which places a high value on selflessness and hard work. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026 Hearing more about Carlos’ selflessness has rubbed off on Bustillos, according to his mom, Vanessa. — Jacob Sisneros, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 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 Cincinnati Assistant Fire Chief Matt Flagler said what struck him about the New York City first responders was their selflessness. — Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selflessness
  1. generosity
  2. kindness
  3. philanthropy
  4. unselfishness
  5. altruism
Noun
  • Charities should seize on that and message around the benefit that leaning into generosity has for people’s wallets and their communities—one that opens the door to a teaching moment.
    — Dale Bannon, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Their generosity, humanity and belief in the importance of fashion as art, culture and history – as well as their understanding of human fragility and the possibility of growth – will remain with me always.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of generosity
Noun
  • Following her death, Eloise’s family established the Living for Lulu Foundation to continue her legacy by encouraging kindness and helping animals in need.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • My mother, Cynthia, taught me to go through life with both relentless ambition and kindness.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • The showcase is supported by Allison Sarofim, the chair of Friends of the CFDA known for her work in the arts, film, fashion, beauty, and philanthropy.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • One of the most beloved celebrities of all time, her passing inspired a tidal wave of tributes from around the world, with Parton remembered not just for her music but for her acting career, decades of philanthropy and advocacy.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of philanthropy
Noun
  • The statutes of Life, Truth, and Love, all synonyms for God, are the laws of God at work throughout all of creation, enforcing unselfishness, integrity, and justice for all.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The intangibles, the raw strength built lifting in the weight room, and his unselfishness.
    — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 1 Aug. 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

Browse Nearby Words

selflessly
selflessness
self-loader
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Selflessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selflessness. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All