Synonyms of unselfish

unselfish 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-ˈsel-fish 

as in generous

giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation

an unselfish man who spends much of his time helping his community

Synonyms & Similar Words

• generous
• charitable
• benevolent
• liberal
• munificent
• handsome
• unstinting
• bountiful
• unsparing
• compassionate
• bounteous
• open
• bighearted
• openhanded
• fulsome
• altruistic
• kind
• hospitable
• philanthropic
• free
• humanitarian
• freehanded
• extravagant
• freehearted
• lavish
• magnanimous
• sympathetic
• beneficent
• kindly
• profuse
• overgenerous
• big
• openhearted
• good-hearted
• largehearted
• greathearted
• samaritan

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• selfish
• ungenerous
• stingy
• small
• parsimonious
• uncharitable
• miserly
• cheap
• penurious
• petty
• close
• tight
• tightfisted
• illiberal
• thrifty
• costive
• mean
• frugal
• spare
• sparing
• mingy
• chary
• avaricious
• stinting
• desirous
• closefisted
• acquisitive
• covetous
• mercenary
• avid
• rapacious
• envious
• grudging
• itchy
• resentful
• grasping
• begrudging
• hoggish
• stinting
• coveting

unselfishness

2 of 2

noun

as in generosity

the quality or state of being generous

her natural unselfishness sometimes attracts those who would take advantage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• generosity
• philanthropy
• kindness
• liberality
• munificence
• selflessness
• generousness
• bountifulness
• largesse
• bounty
• gift
• openheartedness
• openhandedness
• beneficence
• kindliness
• bigheartedness
• tribute
• charity
• wastefulness
• extravagance
• lavishness
• prodigality
• gratuity
• improvidence
• spendthrift
• squandering
• dissipating
• lagniappe

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• selfishness
• meanness
• cheapness
• economy
• closeness
• tightness
• thrift
• parsimony
• stinginess
• miserliness
• frugality
• pinching
• providence
• conservation
• saving
• husbandry
• economizing
• conserving
• penuriousness
• ungenerosity
• managing
• skimping
• scrimping
• husbanding
• scraping
• cutting back

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unselfish

Adjective

Mullins hit, and the captain who so embodies the unselfish, team-first attitude of UConn basketball, is back to try for a third championship ring. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026

The Wolverines and Wildcats are deep, athletic and unselfish, making for a potentially compelling showdown at the Final Four. —CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

Noun

Finch’s offensive system demands unselfishness and improvisation. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 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, 21 Feb. 2026