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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Recent Examples of selflessness
Barkov is seldom the team’s leading goal scorer but usually tops in assists, as last season, an apt mirror of his selflessness.
—
Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Arisu sacrifices himself in the last game, but this act of selflessness is what wins.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
That, to me, is the ultimate courage and the ultimate act of selflessness, which is this beautiful, huge arc that Jordan is continuing to go on.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Pam has some nice things to say about her parents’ selflessness but then turns cold again when Marie realizes Annabeth was living here.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Hijiri is a paragon of selflessness who teaches Scarlet that living for others is the only fulfilling way.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
But more than anything else, Truwit applauds her friend's character and selflessness.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
To see that courage and selflessness in action firsthand was truly incredible.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2025
Each day in practice, Foster and his staff awarded it to the player who best embodied the grit, discipline, and selflessness the team demanded.
—Christina Daves, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Arisu sacrifices himself in the last game, but this act of selflessness is what wins.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
That, to me, is the ultimate courage and the ultimate act of selflessness, which is this beautiful, huge arc that Jordan is continuing to go on.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Pam has some nice things to say about her parents’ selflessness but then turns cold again when Marie realizes Annabeth was living here.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Hijiri is a paragon of selflessness who teaches Scarlet that living for others is the only fulfilling way.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
But more than anything else, Truwit applauds her friend's character and selflessness.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
To see that courage and selflessness in action firsthand was truly incredible.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2025
Each day in practice, Foster and his staff awarded it to the player who best embodied the grit, discipline, and selflessness the team demanded.
—Christina Daves, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selflessness
Noun
-
There’s such generosity in the book.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
-
In an inspiring act of kindness and generosity, tournament angler Tripp Berlinsky turned the biggest win of his college fishing career into an opportunity to give back.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But thanks to a free tool called Love Lost and the kindness of a good neighbor, Louie is back home safe and sound.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
For her kindness and friendship, for her humour and irrepressible enthusiasm, for her curiosity, for her courage, and for her profound love of animals.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Earlier, Combs wept as his defense lawyers played a video in court portraying his family life, career and philanthropy.—
Jennifer Peltz,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
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Women who are leaders at companies and organizations (including philanthropies) with at least $25 million in annual revenue in at least one of the past three years, or an enterprise value of $100 million for private companies and $250 million for public companies can submit a nomination.—
CNBC.com staff,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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McDaniels praised the third-year pro for his unselfishness.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
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Much more than just a one-dimensional floor spacer, Johnson will be another essential hub in a system built on trust (especially that of Jokic, who has the highest respect for the smartest players), movement, and unselfishness.—
Joel Rush,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Others include cognitive empathy (accurately understanding a patient’s situation); communication skills (asking about patients’ lives and telling them our interpretations); and altruism (mobilizing these understandings for the patient’s benefit).—
Rachel Pearson,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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Forbes contributor Mark Travers writes that altruism in the workplace can go too far.—
Don Yaeger,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Selflessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selflessness. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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