as in selfishness
excessive interest in oneself
her degree of self-interest is perhaps best reflected in her favorite topic of conversation—herself
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Recent Examples of self-interest
Beyond that, he’s motivated by pure self-interest.
—
Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Yet a major part of these Indigenous values is the diminished role of the self and self-interest.
—Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2026
What’s more, in Florida, people too often maddeningly vote against their self-interest.
—Steve Bousquet, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
It is supposed to be the first ship in a flotilla that will carry economic development, national self-interests, and the yearning for scientific discovery to the moon.
—Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Yet a major part of these Indigenous values is the diminished role of the self and self-interest.
—Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2026
What’s more, in Florida, people too often maddeningly vote against their self-interest.
—Steve Bousquet, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
It is supposed to be the first ship in a flotilla that will carry economic development, national self-interests, and the yearning for scientific discovery to the moon.
—Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest
Noun
-
The adjectives used to describe vampire Lucy suggest monstrous selfishness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 May 2026
-
Our policies have been defined more by optimism and generosity than by selfishness and cynicism.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The dresser has a classic silhouette with minimalist details like tapered legs and oiled hardware, and the mirror doubles as a vanity.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
That lack of vanity becomes the greatest weapon of My Duchess.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The deepest reason for this near-universal futility is that most of us remain imprisoned by the delusions of the ego, suffering from alternating cravings and revulsions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
This requires a different balancing of one's own ego, which in this context, is not self-confidence but the prioritizing of the collective outcome.—
Naira Velumyan,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
There was too much egoism politically for each country to be all together with a unique economy, language and president.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
McGuane also reminded me that Hemingway was, to put it politely, a complicated personality, a domineering figure prone to brawling, affairs, and cask-strength egoism.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-interest. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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