SELFISHNESS Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

selfishness

noun

ˈsel-fish-nəs

Definition of selfishness

as in selfness

excessive interest in oneself the only reason for constantly ignoring everyone else's problems is selfishness

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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 selfishness 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 The adjectives used to describe vampire Lucy suggest monstrous selfishness. — Literary Hub, 5 May 2026 Shooting the final sequence from Cassie’s point of view was a last-minute adjustment, which Levinson made the day of filming to emphasize Cassie’s narcissism and selfishness. — Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selfishness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for selfishness

Noun

The bathroom brings that rich blue into focus with its gilded vanity and various textures.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
Nine-foot stainless-steel screens, originally designed to keep fish from swimming into dams, were reshaped into curved, airfoil-like vanity doors.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of vanity

Noun

Kikuko sometimes mistook Shigejiro’s cheerfulness for egoism owing to the distortions produced by her illness.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of egoism

Noun

The fact that both quarterbacks checked their ego at the door has impressed North Stars coach Rob Pomazak.

— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Sometimes, even when the prosecutor involved almost certainly knows something other than justice is in the works, there is a momentum of ego and bureaucracy that is hard to reverse.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ego

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selfish

selfishness

self-knowledge

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“Selfishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selfishness. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of selfishness

noun

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