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
Their roster plays with patience, selflessness and total trust in the organization’s vision.
—
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Except this time, with a new head coach, new offensive and defensive schemes, new selflessness and trust in each other, the Knicks look better.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
His selflessness is admirable and, against the backdrop of Wednesday’s brutal news about Carlos Correa, understandable.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 7 May 2026
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
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Except this time, with a new head coach, new offensive and defensive schemes, new selflessness and trust in each other, the Knicks look better.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
His selflessness is admirable and, against the backdrop of Wednesday’s brutal news about Carlos Correa, understandable.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 7 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selflessness
Noun
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This is the generosity of Hamaguchi’s storytelling.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
15 May 2026
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Saint Zdislava of Lemberk lived from 1220 to 1252 and was known for her generosity and work for the poor.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 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
-
Urrea, a professor of creative writing, is among 252 leaders in academia, the arts, industry, journalism, philanthropy, policy, research and science elected in 2026, a university news release said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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Miami’s business and lifestyle news spans gun policy, soccer tourism, billionaire real estate and celebrity philanthropy.—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Head coach Jordi Fernández wants competitiveness, unselfishness, ball pressure, defensive versatility, 3-point shooting, and ball movement.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
11 May 2026
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Star power was required, but unselfishness defined the locker room.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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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 18 May. 2026.
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