Synonyms for

Selfish

Verb / ˈselfɪʃ / Another word for selfish — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Selfish means caring only about oneself and not considering the needs or feelings of others.

Synonyms & similar words

Synonyms by register

Antonyms

Common collocations

  • selfish person
  • selfish act
  • selfish motive
  • selfish desire
  • selfish behavior
  • selfish gene
  • selfish interest

Word family

adjective selfish
adverb selfishly

Usage note

Selfish often carries a negative connotation, implying a disregard for others' needs. It is generally used in informal and formal contexts.

Example sentences

  1. She was so selfish that she wouldn't even share her candy with her little sister.
  2. He always put his own needs first and never thought about how his actions affected others, which was very selfish of him.
  3. Being selfish can make people feel good in the short term, but it often leads to problems in the long run.

Quotes

  • Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. - Oscar Wilde
  • Selfishness is not a virtue. It is a vice that blinds men to the long-term consequences of their actions. - David Kelley
  • Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race. - William Ewart Gladstone

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