SELF-INTEREST Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

self-interest

noun

ˌself-ˈin-t(ə-)rəst

Definition of self-interest

as in selfishness

excessive interest in oneself her degree of self-interest is perhaps best reflected in her favorite topic of conversation—herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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-interest The leaders who are navigating this moment most effectively are willing to suspend self-interest, share power, ask better questions, and remain open to being surprised. — Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 Accounting for self-interest A second theme is the recognition of how human motivations interact with institutions. — Jordan Cash, The Conversation, 8 June 2026 Hello and welcome to Regulator, an email for Verge subscribers about technology, politics, and what happens when science crashes headlong into self-interest. — Tina Nguyen, The Verge, 17 June 2026 In a congressional hearing in 2008, Greenspan famously admitted to being wrong about one of his core ideals after finding that banks, when left to their own self-interest, had not acted in a way that protected the market, themselves or their customers. — Dan Simms, USA Today, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-interest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-interest

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

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

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