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
There’s an obvious selflessness with Lehkonen that endears him to teammates and fans alike.
—
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Rob Kos, a special education teacher at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, was anonymously nominated for a LifeChanger of the Year award, citing his selflessness and dedication to helping struggling students.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, observed with fasting, prayer and selflessness.
—Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 5 Feb. 2026
The elder Allen agreed that Dante’s selflessness and tireless work rate is rare.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
The point guard requires vision, selflessness and tactical awareness.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Several guests gushed about Frances and Harold's selflessness to the local news station.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Diggs has been praised since signing with the Patriots in March for his leadership and selflessness.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
Clarence accesses George’s backstory, learning about his childhood and how his selflessness ultimately led to feelings of regret, with an innocent mistake nearly sending him over the edge.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Rob Kos, a special education teacher at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, was anonymously nominated for a LifeChanger of the Year award, citing his selflessness and dedication to helping struggling students.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, observed with fasting, prayer and selflessness.
—Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 5 Feb. 2026
The elder Allen agreed that Dante’s selflessness and tireless work rate is rare.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
The point guard requires vision, selflessness and tactical awareness.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Several guests gushed about Frances and Harold's selflessness to the local news station.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Diggs has been praised since signing with the Patriots in March for his leadership and selflessness.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
Clarence accesses George’s backstory, learning about his childhood and how his selflessness ultimately led to feelings of regret, with an innocent mistake nearly sending him over the edge.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selflessness
Noun
-
Our moods swell with care, generosity, and affection when Luna initially conjoins expansive Jupiter.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Thank you Enoteca/Vespaio for the unmatched generosity throughout so many years.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Think of kindness and gratitude as two strands that twist together into the helix of your child's happiness.—
Catherine Newman,
Parents,
22 Feb. 2026
-
But also moments of strength, kindness and profound connection.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Parents, employers, friends and philanthropies can invest in the accounts.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The park was purchased by TPWD in 2011 and funding for park construction was a combination of a special legislative appropriation, the Sporting Goods Sales Tax and federal funding along with $10 million in private philanthropy raised by Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.—
Lana Ferguson,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While second-year coach Dusty May’s Michigan squad has been hailed for unselfishness, Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils showed more versatility on the offensive end.—
Ben Nuckols,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
While second-year coach Dusty May’s Michigan squad has been hailed for unselfishness, Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils showed more versatility on the offensive end.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This climactic collision is woven from several minor ethical tugs-of-war that rest on each character exhibiting both selfishness and altruism in various scenes, until their complicated humanity is placed under a harsh spotlight.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2026
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Those diplomatic efforts to aid Congo were not simply motivated by altruism.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Selflessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selflessness. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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