self-serving

[ self-sur-ving ]

adjective

1. preoccupied with one's own interests, often disregarding the truth or the interests, well-being, etc., of others.
2. serving to further one's own selfish interests.

self-serving

adjective

1. habitually seeking one's own advantage, esp at the expense of others

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-serving¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Lovell does an excellent job deconstructing this self-serving myth.

From The Daily Beast

The result is not only vindication, but also the self-serving sense that only you can save the republic.

From The Daily Beast

Plenty of listeners will point to Paula as proof that Robin Thicke is a narcissistic, self-serving jerk.

From The Daily Beast

“Catty, petty, and self-serving,” is how one of those way-right-of-center folk described Geithner to me.

From The Daily Beast

There is, inevitably, a lot of self-serving humbug and a lot of tedious pap.

From The Daily Beast

It was apparent that he had made a self-serving statement to Agent Quigley.

From Project Gutenberg

I think we colored people ought to be more self-reliant, more self-serving.

From Project Gutenberg

His testimony, though self-serving, was given due weight when urged in his own defense.

From Project Gutenberg

Through regulation, politics inserts itself as a self-serving factor in market transactions.

From Project Gutenberg

They often publish other people's self-serving communiqués without altering a word.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boastful
• pompous
• self-absorbed
• selfish
• subjective