as in egocentric
overly concerned with one's own desires, needs, or interests
a selfish desire to succeed at the expense of others
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of selfish
An exception is when the goal of provocative or controversial material is prosocial rather than selfish—to challenge discrimination and foster productive dialogue on social issues rather than to sensationalize or garner ratings and profit.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
We’re constantly told that the internet highlights our most selfish, divided or angry impulses.
—Simon Rogers, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Like vampire Lucy, the kuntilanak is a selfish creature.
—Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
Kym is the family fuckup and a guilty party to its biggest tragedy but also constantly pokes the bear as its selfish verbal assassin.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for selfish
Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
We’re constantly told that the internet highlights our most selfish, divided or angry impulses.
—Simon Rogers, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Like vampire Lucy, the kuntilanak is a selfish creature.
—Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
Kym is the family fuckup and a guilty party to its biggest tragedy but also constantly pokes the bear as its selfish verbal assassin.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for selfish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selfish
Adjective
-
The Miniature Wife Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen star in this dramedy about an egocentric scientist on the verge of a breakthrough who accidentally shrinks his wife, a Pulitzer-winning author who hasn’t written a lick in more than a decade.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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A lot of tennis players are so egocentric.—
Patrick McEnroe,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hüller was overwhelmed by the praise at the Palais, her trademark stoicism breaking as the crowd saluted her moments of emotional abandon — including a tearjerker of a long-distance phone call and an explosion of rage at her narcissistic patriarch.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
14 May 2026
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Lest anyone think Perseverance is too narcissistic, the rover also employed its Mastcam-Z to also photograph Lac de Charmes’ Arbot area a few days later.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
That’s a big step forward for the character who’s sometimes been a little self-centered in the past.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
Travel ball is very self-centered.—
Eric Sondheimer
Columnist
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In Love Story, the Hannah character is self-absorbed and high-maintenance, acting as something of a foil, leaving the viewer to root for Carolyn to end up with John.—
Kate Storey,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
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Marty is self-absorbed, forgetful, doesn’t much like people and spends hours online looking for advice about how to be a handyman.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Three hundred high school players gather at a remote facility to compete in ruthless trials where only one will emerge as the world’s greatest and most egoistic striker.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Health officials, starting with Anthony Fauci, had been untrustworthy, self-interested, and aching for power.—
David Blumenthal,
STAT,
24 Mar. 2026
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Yet political polls repeatedly reveal how many citizens--across race, age, gender, and background--still vote from a self-interested posture.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Hathaway gets the most fun part to play in this formidable ensemble, starring as egotistical actress Daphne Kluger, who starts as the mark but ends up enlisting among the thieves.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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Demolishes the East Wing of the White House on an egotistical whim?—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the fifth and final season of The Boys, the world is completely subject to Homelander’s erratic, egomaniacal whims.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2026
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The nation is captive to his egomaniacal whims.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Selfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selfish. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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