self-serving

adjective

self-serv·​ing ˌself-ˈsər-viŋ How to pronounce self-serving (audio)
Synonyms of self-servingnext
: serving one's own interests often in disregard of the truth or the interests of others
self-servingly adverb

Synonyms of self-serving

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Examples of self-serving in a Sentence

she's just another self-serving politician who puts her own ambitions above the public good
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Yet, some are sticking with this self-serving loser. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026 The vigilantes who hanged her were self-serving cattlemen. — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026 Elmosnino is an amusing villain, making his most self-serving machinations sound reasonable. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 Anybody so certain of anything — except maybe that the markets will be open for trading tomorrow — is acting out of their own self-serving interests to drive fear and gain more attention. — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-serving

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-serving was in 1615

Rhymes for self-serving

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Browse Nearby Words

self-service
self-serving
self-set
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Cite this Entry

“Self-serving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-serving. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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