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self-interest
[ self-in-trist, -in-ter-ist, self- ]
noun
- 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.
self-interest
noun
- one's personal interest or advantage
- the act or an instance of pursuing one's own interest
Derived Forms
- ˌself-ˈinterestedness, noun
- ˌself-ˈinterested, adjective
Other Words From
- self-in·ter·est·ed adjective
- self-in·ter·est·ed·ness noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of self-interest1
Compare Meanings
How does self-interest compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Marrying yourself merely underscores selfishness and self-interest, rather than enabling you to live singly in the best way.
You 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.
In 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?
I can hardly believe he is the same—turned into a mere machine, with a moving spring of self-interest!
She is not capable of experiencing common affection for any one; every feeling of her nature is merged in self-interest.
The shopkeeper and his wife, drawn two ways by pity and self-interest, began by lulling their consciences with words.
Self-interest and self-preservation dictated many laws which secured the welfare of society.
Ability is demonstrated only under strenuous competition inspired by self-interest.
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