selfishness
noun
self·ish·ness
ˈsel-fish-nəs 
: the quality or state of being selfish : a concern for one's own welfare or advantage at the expense of or in disregard of others : excessive interest in oneself
We were appalled by the selfishness of their behavior.
Thus most of us are hardwired to conform to a "core morality" that includes protecting our children, dealing more or less fairly with other people, and placing limits on our selfishness.—
Christopher R. Beha
Christopher R. BehaSynonyms
Examples of selfishness in a Sentence
the only reason for constantly ignoring everyone else's problems is selfishness
Recent Examples on the Web
The history of the United States is a history of selfishness.
—K. Ward Cummings, Baltimore Sun, 10 Nov. 2024
More successfully, Teeth plays with the trope of the helpful gay best friend (an excellent Jared Loftin, sweet then sinister), who offers to help Dawn learn how to retract her teeth but then betrays her in his own act of selfishness.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
Like The Substance, there’s a vein of selfishness born from societal powerlessness underpinning the film, here focusing on the unique clash of ultra-modernity and traditionalism experienced in China and Hong Kong at the dawn of the new millennium.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
Some prosecutors vehemently oppose the claim and say the brothers are spinning a tale to hide their greed and selfishness.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for selfishness 
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K. Ward Cummings, Baltimore Sun, 10 Nov. 2024
More successfully, Teeth plays with the trope of the helpful gay best friend (an excellent Jared Loftin, sweet then sinister), who offers to help Dawn learn how to retract her teeth but then betrays her in his own act of selfishness.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
Like The Substance, there’s a vein of selfishness born from societal powerlessness underpinning the film, here focusing on the unique clash of ultra-modernity and traditionalism experienced in China and Hong Kong at the dawn of the new millennium.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
Some prosecutors vehemently oppose the claim and say the brothers are spinning a tale to hide their greed and selfishness.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for selfishness
Dictionary Entries Near selfishness
Cite this Entry
“Selfishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfishness. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.
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