self-serving
Americanadjective
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preoccupied with one's own interests, often disregarding the truth or the interests, well-being, etc., of others.
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serving to further one's own selfish interests.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of self-serving
First recorded in 1900–05
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is not much more than a piece of paper generated in a self-serving way by ICE, free of review to substantiate what is stated in it.
From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026
The firm said any allegations of unethical practices were the result of “disgruntled former employees ... who have ulterior self-serving motives.”
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2025
But his pitting of empathy in direct opposition to that clarity about our limitations is self-serving and, let’s be real, the kind of man-child narcissism currently being celebrated as strength.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2025
"Now he is focusing on local government which he believes is too self-serving and not very in touch with the people they are supposed to represent," said Sinclair.
From BBC • Dec. 2, 2025
A more evil, vicious, and self-serving man could hardly be imagined, wrote Esperanza on the next line.
From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
