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
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
His diligence and selflessness will be assets throughout his career.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 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
Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey, this sweetheart of a guy who runs a building and loan association in the town of Bedford Falls, just the soul of decency and kindness and selflessness.
—Ted Koppel, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
His bravery, selflessness and stewardship on behalf of his community went far beyond what anyone could ever hope from a tip.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025
Both Waddle and center Aaron Brewer raved about Tagovailoa’s selflessness.
—Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
The department decided to use Clark and Oakley’s legacy of kindness, selflessness and doing good for others as the driving force behind the annual initiative, according to Chief Deb Faulkner.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025
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
His diligence and selflessness will be assets throughout his career.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 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
Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey, this sweetheart of a guy who runs a building and loan association in the town of Bedford Falls, just the soul of decency and kindness and selflessness.
—Ted Koppel, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
His bravery, selflessness and stewardship on behalf of his community went far beyond what anyone could ever hope from a tip.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025
Both Waddle and center Aaron Brewer raved about Tagovailoa’s selflessness.
—Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
The department decided to use Clark and Oakley’s legacy of kindness, selflessness and doing good for others as the driving force behind the annual initiative, according to Chief Deb Faulkner.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selflessness
Noun
-
After the campaign collected $1,503,533 from more than 38,500 donations, the organizers posted a note thanking contributors for their generosity.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
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If your grandchild attends one of these schools and receives financial aid, check with the school’s financial aid office about how your generosity could affect their aid package.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For months afterward, kindness arrived in unexpected forms — neighbors bringing food, strangers offering furniture, friends calling daily.—
Jonathan Taplin,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
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Does their lack of kindness grant you permission to respond with equal insensitivity or even cruelty?—
Michael Isaacson,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Efficiency Just as Warren Buffett keeps a famously low-cost structure in his life and at Berkshire, the Buffett family has learned to make the most of every dollar in their philanthropy.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
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Fast forward to 2026, and what was once a modest tribute has become a multi-million-dollar philanthropy operation, run with her executive director, Janice Chalovich, from Table 14.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Even on a night when the team shot poorly, Edwards’ unselfishness Friday resulted in a game in which Minnesota had six players score 13-plus points.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
20 Dec. 2025
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Notably, his father-in-law’s unselfishness started him on the road to recovery in 1968.—
Jeff Metcalfe,
AZCentral.com,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Instead of the cold eye from Silicon Valley, the family investor is motivated in large part by altruism.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
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The charity announced the donation on Instagram, thanking the singer for her act of altruism.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
23 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Selflessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selflessness. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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