self-centered

adjective

self-cen·​tered ˌself-ˈsen-tərd How to pronounce self-centered (audio)
1
: independent of outside force or influence : self-sufficient
2
: concerned solely with one's own desires, needs, or interests
self-centeredly adverb
self-centeredness noun

Examples of self-centered in a Sentence

a group of self-centered residents with no interest or involvement in their community
Recent Examples on the Web So, how do good leaders operate with confidence without coming across as arrogant or self-centered? Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 To be clear, sperm donation is, obviously, not an inherently evil or self-centered act. Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 This speaks to something in him that’s both self-centered and self-destructive. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Sep. 2024 Deadpool has a meeting with Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan, who rejects him since Deadpool is too self-centered for the Avengers and just not a team player. Zack Sharf, Variety, 9 Aug. 2024 Those in positions of power have it in their best interests to keep workers, neighbors, and citizens separate, self-centered, and distracted. Allie Volpe, Vox, 3 June 2024 His administration has shifted from strategic altruism to a narrower and more self-centered conception of U.S. national interests. Robert D. Blackwill, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019 Zoey has a lot of times been fairly accused of being a narcissist and being a little too self-centered. Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024 Any advice for relaying compassion without seeming self-centered? Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-centered.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-centered was in 1645

Dictionary Entries Near self-centered

Cite this Entry

“Self-centered.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-centered. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-centered

adjective
self-cen·​tered
ˈself-ˈsent-ərd
: interested chiefly in one's own self : selfish
self-centeredness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on self-centered

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!