self-preserving
adjective
self-pre·serv·ing
ˌself-pri-ˈzər-viŋ
: acting or tending to preserve oneself or itself
self-preserving instincts/behavior
It's a novel about whether, amid the absurd twists and cruelties of life, you end up being a self-preserving observer of the fray, a committed fighter against overwhelming odds, or something uncomfortably in between.—Kenneth Kid
Cite this Entry
“Self-preserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-preserving. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.
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