as in selfishness
excessive interest in oneself
her degree of self-interest is perhaps best reflected in her favorite topic of conversation—herself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
Editorial cartoons in early 20th century mass press caricature America more accurately than journalism today—not a light on the hill but rather a vain bully blind to everything but its own self-interest.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Its smaller members will be increasingly forced to choose sides, but larger members—such as India and Indonesia—will have more leverage to play global powers against each other for greater self-interest.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
The disbelief and soul-searching among Latino activists and finger-pointing by Democrats will continue throughout 2025, predicated on the idea that Latinos who went with Trump voted against their self-interest.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Human beings are motivated by virtue (knights) or rigid self-interest (knaves), or are passive victims of their circumstances (pawns).
—Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-interest 
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Its smaller members will be increasingly forced to choose sides, but larger members—such as India and Indonesia—will have more leverage to play global powers against each other for greater self-interest.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
The disbelief and soul-searching among Latino activists and finger-pointing by Democrats will continue throughout 2025, predicated on the idea that Latinos who went with Trump voted against their self-interest.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Human beings are motivated by virtue (knights) or rigid self-interest (knaves), or are passive victims of their circumstances (pawns).
—Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest
Noun
-
Less selfishness and more of a consideration for the next generations of human beings and other beings (animals and environment) that will inherit our mistakes.—
Laurel Dalrymple,
NPR,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Catherine’s major personality traits are selfishness and a mild yet persistent case of trichophagia.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Sound design includes a girl power soundtrack credited to Meltzer and associate director Bailey Hacker, set design by Michael McKeever puts the focal point on large portraits of past presidents and a change of set a couple of times moves the action to a vanity in the office’s ladies’ bathroom.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2025
-
Naturally, the principal bedroom has massive side-by-side closets and its own ensuite bath, complete with marble flooring, green ceramic tile walls, double vanities, and a glass shower.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Meghan McCain slams Meghan Markle's new 'out of touch' TV show: 'Do something to help people instead of your ego' Production delays in an industry still recovering from the 2023 SAG-WGA strikes are only the tip of the iceberg.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
13 Jan. 2025
-
Over the past fifty years, the job of Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator, has been to make the stars look good, and to corral the egos and talents on his staff in order to get the program on the air, live.—
Susan Morrison,
The New Yorker,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Psychological egoism is at play here, too, with Jimmy’s extreme emotional investment in getting Grace help.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
23 Oct. 2024
-
Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information, Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism.—
Sean Illing,
Vox,
11 Aug. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near self-interest
Cite this Entry
“Self-interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-interest. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share