self-absorption

noun

ˌself-əb-ˈsȯrp-shən How to pronounce self-absorption (audio)
Definition of self-absorptionnext
as in selfness
excessive interest in oneself the novel's major characters all suffer from self-absorption, and they are every bit as insufferable as such people are in real life

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Example 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-absorption Beware the tendency to slip into self-absorption as a Dragon, however. — Kyle Lucia Wu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Feb. 2026 Maybe the symptoms of his cognitive decline are inextricable from what seemed to you to be his general self-absorption and thoughtlessness. — James Parker, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025 Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas play sisters, raised in a sprawling yet cozy house that has been in the family for years; when their mother dies, they’re forced to reckon with the selfishness and self-absorption of their long estranged filmmaker father (Stellan Skarsgård). — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 3 Dec. 2025 Those sorts of unexpected shifts are what make Vile’s brand of self-absorption so uniquely absorbing after all these years, even as Philadelphia leans into his familiar formula of ’70s-Neil ditch-digging filtered through ’80s-Springsteen production and stretched across ’90s-CD sprawl. — Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-absorption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-absorption
  1. selfishness
  2. vanity
  3. narcissism
  4. ego
Noun
  • After Portugal’s 1-1 tie against DR Congo, Henry explained the selfishness of Cristiano Ronaldo’s movement, not opening space for a teammate.
    — Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 18 June 2026
  • Claire’s elective death therefore remains a problematic choice for some viewers, an act of vainglorious selfishness from a woman who was never terribly nice to begin with.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026
Definition of selfishness
Noun
  • The bathroom is nearby and contains a vanity sink, a walk-in shower, and an incinerating toilet – which literally turns waste into ash.
    — Adam Williams July 01, New Atlas, 1 July 2026
  • The hotel’s wellness focus extends to the bathrooms, which boast walk-in showers, claw-foot soaking tubs, and double-sink marble vanities embellished with ornate gilt mirrors.
    — Veronica M. Stoddart, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026
Definition of vanity
Noun
  • In conclusion, the distance between narcissism and healthy philautia is extraordinary because of the difference in values and goals of the two concepts.
    — Gregory Stebbins, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Desirée can so often come off a bundle of cliches of actresses of a certain age, all narcissism, hedonism and irresponsibility.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Definition of narcissism
Noun
  • Visitors would find artifacts such as the candlestand, where Washington chose humility over ego and began the peaceful transfer of power.
    — Lonnie G. Bunch III, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
  • The Aussie needed to have some amount of ego to achieve that confidence, something Wright didn’t have or realize.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Definition of ego

Browse Nearby Words

self-absorbed
self-absorption
self-accusation
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Cite this Entry

“Self-absorption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-absorption. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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