selfishness

[ sel-fish-nis ]

/ ˈsɛl fɪʃ nɪs /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for selfishness on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of selfishness

selfish + -ness

Words nearby selfishness

self-insurance, self-insure, self-insurer, self-interest, selfish, selfishness, self-judgment, self-justification, self-justifying, self-knowledge, selfless

How to use selfishness in a sentence

A willingness to be more selfish is a goal for another elite point guard prospect, Indiana senior Ali Patberg.
How These WNBA Prospects Can Improve Their Draft Stock|Howard Megdal|November 24, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
So holding up any emergency vehicle is selfish beyond belief.
Hints From Heloise: Good manners are for the road, too|Heloise Heloise|November 23, 2020|Washington Post
It seems selfish, as well as shortsighted, for people to refuse to take common-sense measures to protect themselves and others.
Ask Amy: Scotch and wine might lead to a problem|Amy Dickinson|November 22, 2020|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.
As the coronavirus tears through rural Maryland, an ultramarathon plans to race on|Rick Maese|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

Masks are neither completely selfless nor selfish — they help everyone.
Wearing a mask isn’t just about protecting other people, the CDC says. It can help you — and might prevent lockdowns.|Ben Guarino, Lena H. Sun, Ariana Eunjung Cha|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
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|DAILY BEAST
They are mean, unhappy and inspired only by their fatal selfishness.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The pontiff blasts the selfishness, arrogance and detachment of the cardinals in Rome.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fatigue, sadness, or psychosis is not about choice or laziness or selfishness.
Postpartum Stigma: Why My Patient Committed Suicide|Jean Kim|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I don't get to spend my money or my time with utmost selfishness.
Mommy’s Little Secret? Coffee And Booze.|Sally Kohn|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The socialist looking thus at the world we live in sees in it nothing but waste and selfishness and inefficiency.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Even the purest selfishness would dictate a policy of social insurance.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
The ancient grudging selfishness that would not feed other people's children should be cast out.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
A vein of shrewd and humorous sarcasm, together with an under-current of quiet selfishness, made him a very pleasant companion. '
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Politeness, being based upon real kindness of heart, cannot exist where there is selfishness or brutality to warp its growth.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley