self-serving

adjective

self-serv·​ing ˌself-ˈsər-viŋ How to pronounce self-serving (audio)
Synonyms of self-servingnext
: serving one's own interests often in disregard of the truth or the interests of others
self-servingly adverb

Synonyms of self-serving

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Examples of self-serving in a Sentence

she's just another self-serving politician who puts her own ambitions above the public good
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their Democratic rivals are hitting back, saying the efforts have either not gone far enough or are self-serving in the final weeks of the campaign. — David Hickey, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026 However, desperate to enjoy all the benefits of her unconventional and self-serving situation, without shouldering any of the blame, Uta proposes that Morio be the donor for Junna’s child, and that all three of them move in together. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 And the recording that exposed their machinations ultimately destroyed the type of ethnic politicking that made the careers of too many self-serving power grabbers, including this quartet. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Doe's lawyer has in turn said those arguments are self-serving. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-serving

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-serving was in 1615

Rhymes for self-serving

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Browse Nearby Words

self-service
self-serving
self-set
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Cite this Entry

“Self-serving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-serving. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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