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self-interest

self-interest

49 4.0
Wanting what is best for you and not caring about others
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛlfˈɪntrəst/
translation icon : interés propio
  • In business, some decisions are made purely out of self-interest rather than for the common good.
  • in one's own self-interest
  • pursuit of self-interest
  • appeal to self-interest

Even your own narrow self-interest would require that.

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Examples

  • Now, self-interest can lead us to do things that are harmful to each other.

  • I think you and I have matters of mutual self-interest to discuss.

  • And it is in their self-interest that they are creating this this production.

  • And yet we have had a small group of people who it is not in their self-interest to have those solutions made.

  • There is no one without self-interest, no one in all this court.

  • For some, it has been based on self-interest and political goals.

    Academic text (2017)
  • So self-interest demands that you seek peace if you can.

  • Still, this result suggests that self-interest might not be as powerful as we often think.

  • I have to convince them that it's in their self-interest to buy what I want to sell.

  • Prosperity is born of self-interest and competition.

Synonyms

selfishness
vsself-interest
50 3.0

Caring only about yourself and not about other people

is about thinking only about what benefits oneself rather than others
opportunism
vsself-interest
8 7.3

Taking chances to help yourself even if it hurts others or your values

is broader, meaning a constant focus on personal benefit rather than chance taking
self-centeredness
vsself-interest
  • US
2 5.8

Only caring about your own needs and wants

is the mindset of thinking only about what helps oneself
egoism
vsself-interest
2 7.2

A habit of caring mainly about your own needs and not others

is specifically the attitude of thinking only about personal advantage
egocentrism
vsself-interest
1 8.8

Believing your own needs and views are more important than other people's

is focused on choosing personal benefit rather than on viewpoint priority
egocentricity
vsself-interest
1 8.2

A habit of putting your own needs before other people's

is about deciding only what serves oneself rather than merely inward focus
self-seeking
vsself-interest
7.7

Doing things only to get personal gain while ignoring other people

describes the general attitude of thinking only about personal benefit
selfism
vsself-interest
9.5

Putting your own needs before the needs of other people

is the narrower idea of thinking only about personal benefit in choices
self-concern
vsself-interest
5.3

Care for your own needs and interests

is stronger, meaning thinking only about oneself without caring for others

Antonyms

24 6.5

Caring about other people's needs more than your own

14 3.9

To care more about other people's needs than your own

How Selfish

egotism
7 6.1
selfishness
50 3.0
self-interest
49 4.0
consideration
58 3.2
altruism
24 6.5

Surface Forms

self-interest singular

Morphology

self-interest = self + interest (transparent) = self + interest

Meaning is directly the interest of the self — concern for one's own advantage — which an average B1 learner can derive from 'self' + 'interest'.

Etymology

Self-interest is made of self ('your own') and interest ('something that benefits you' or 'what matters to you'). So, to act from self-interest is to do what helps yourself or puts your own benefit first.