selfishness

[ sel-fish-nis ]

noun

1. the quality or state of caring only for oneself or one’s own interests:

   The author rants at length about the selfishness and general disregard for others that he sees at the root of modern society.

Word History and Origins

Origin of selfishness¹

selfish ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

A willingness to be more selfish is a goal for another elite point guard prospect, Indiana senior Ali Patberg.

From FiveThirtyEight

So holding up any emergency vehicle is selfish beyond belief.

From Washington Post

It seems selfish, as well as shortsighted, for people to refuse to take common-sense measures to protect themselves and others.

From Washington Post

It seemed selfish to me to engage in nonessential travel to the race and potentially put myself and others at risk of spreading covid.

From Washington Post

Masks are neither completely selfless nor selfish — they help everyone.

From Washington Post

Marrying yourself merely underscores selfishness and self-interest, rather than enabling you to live singly in the best way.

From The Daily Beast

They are mean, unhappy and inspired only by their fatal selfishness.

From The Daily Beast

The pontiff blasts the selfishness, arrogance and detachment of the cardinals in Rome.

From The Daily Beast

Fatigue, sadness, or psychosis is not about choice or laziness or selfishness.

From The Daily Beast

I don't get to spend my money or my time with utmost selfishness.

From The Daily Beast

The socialist looking thus at the world we live in sees in it nothing but waste and selfishness and inefficiency.

From Project Gutenberg

Even the purest selfishness would dictate a policy of social insurance.

From Project Gutenberg

The ancient grudging selfishness that would not feed other people's children should be cast out.

From Project Gutenberg

A vein of shrewd and humorous sarcasm, together with an under-current of quiet selfishness, made him a very pleasant companion. '

From Project Gutenberg

Politeness, being based upon real kindness of heart, cannot exist where there is selfishness or brutality to warp its growth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• greed
• self-indulgence