Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-interest Move to even-year elections or be remembered as the council that chose self-interest over democracy. Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2025 Each level in the organization has a different self-interest. Jay Sullivan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 Yet, the president of the United States is going to reverse decades of U.S. policy and disregard the self-interests of the United States and its allies to throw Putin a lifeline — indeed, reward him — for his aggression and crimes against humanity. Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2025 America has had a longstanding self-interest in being a stable democracy, for example, because the attractiveness of its model of government confers advantages. Penny Abeywardena, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest
Noun
  • The film’s underlying suggestion that spies are just as susceptible to selfishness, prone to mistakes, and likely to lie as anyone lines up nicely with some of the revelations brought to light during the George W. Bush years, and little that’s happened since has made the movie seem less insightful.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
  • His touring feels like a shield against that selfishness, an investment in a connection with his fellow Americans.
    Ismail Muhammad, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Although technology is a ubiquitous part of this production, the piece has practically nothing to say about it, other than acknowledging its mere existence — technology is related to vanity, and a front-facing selfie camera is like a mirror.
    Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
  • That has real implications for brand deals and CPM negotiations — but risks creating a new layer of noise and vanity metrics in the creator economy.
    Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Managing egos is unavoidable, but having to manage someone’s ego right from the start is not a positive indicator of things to come.
    Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • But how did egos not get in the way, especially after the seasons Prince and Conner had in 2023?
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s slogans—America First and Make America Great Again—embody the essence of populism, namely using ideology to advance a political program that is morally unconstrained and driven by collective egoism.
    BÁLINT MADLOVICS, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Psychological egoism is at play here, too, with Jimmy’s extreme emotional investment in getting Grace help.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-interest. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on self-interest

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!