self-interest
regard for one's own interest or advantage, especially with disregard for others: He appears to be motivated solely by self-interest, greed, and an insatiable hunger for self-aggrandizement.
personal interest or advantage: It is particularly hard to understand why a group would vote against its own self-interest.
Economics. the doctrine that acting to one’s own benefit or advantage can also result in a benefit for society at large: Adam Smith believed that individuals pursuing rational self-interest would create wealth through efficient production and competition.
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Origin of self-interest
1Other words from self-interest
- self-in·ter·est·ed, adjective
- self-in·ter·est·ed·ness, noun
Words Nearby self-interest
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use self-interest in a sentence
Marrying yourself merely underscores selfishness and self-interest, rather than enabling you to live singly in the best way.
Why Singles Should Say ‘I Don’t’ to The Self-Marriage Movement | Tim Teeman | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTYou have to be very angry to be at the point where you no longer have any self-interest.
“Better” means more courageous and more independent, less partisan and less motivated by self-interest.
Obama and Latinos Are at the Breaking Point | Ruben Navarrette Jr. | July 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn a nation—in our nation—the whole point is to balance individual self-interest with the common good.
Is that the ultimate message of House of Cards—that politics is all about self-interest?
Beau Willimon on Most Shocking Twists in ‘House of Cards’ Season 2 | Andrew Romano | February 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
I can hardly believe he is the same—turned into a mere machine, with a moving spring of self-interest!
The Daisy Chain | Charlotte YongeShe is not capable of experiencing common affection for any one; every feeling of her nature is merged in self-interest.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry WoodThe shopkeeper and his wife, drawn two ways by pity and self-interest, began by lulling their consciences with words.
An Episode Under the Terror | Honore de Balzacself-interest and self-preservation dictated many laws which secured the welfare of society.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I | John LordAbility is demonstrated only under strenuous competition inspired by self-interest.
The Inhumanity of Socialism | Edward F. Adams
British Dictionary definitions for self-interest
one's personal interest or advantage
the act or an instance of pursuing one's own interest
Derived forms of self-interest
- self-interested, adjective
- self-interestedness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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