SELF-CENTEREDNESS Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

self-centeredness

noun

as in selfishness

excessive interest in oneself in her extreme self-centeredness she hadn't even noticed that her friend was depressed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of self-centeredness The Year of Perfect Skin, for instance, was more than an example of self-centeredness, more than an effort to turn my face translucent, luminous as a moonstone set in silver prongs. — Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026 There’s a fine line between self-care and self-centeredness. — Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 2 June 2026 This same self-centeredness compels his girlfriend (Olivia Thirlby) to move out of their modest apartment without warning. — Judy Berman, Time, 26 Jan. 2026 Where Grande really shines is in showing Glinda’s growing realization of this and whether to accept it, of how her self-centeredness has hurt other people — including her best friend, who is now running for her life. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Nov. 2025 This is different from egoism and self-centeredness. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 Christ reveals that we can’t be held hostage by inharmony, self-centeredness, or bitterness, in ourselves or others. — Liz Butterfield Wallingford, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-centeredness

Noun

But Vicki’s insufferable attitude is nothing compared to Lisa’s selfishness by the end of the episode.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Timidity dissolves into might, selfishness gives place to broad-reaching love, incompetence is replaced with obedience to God’s perfect direction.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of selfishness

Noun

Rather than through a cold call or email, the scammers lure them through websites offering self-publishing or vanity publishing.

— Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 13 Oct. 2026
And the angelic youth Dorian Gray’s deadly descent into vanity and vice—ignited by a hubristic obsession with his own image—eerily foreshadows the grim trajectory of Wilde’s later years.

— Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of vanity

Noun

Both teams now limp into Saturday's game in Austin with bruised bodies and egos, and carrying a whiff of desperation for a win to keep the season from unraveling.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Did that feel like a parody of my ego, or also a way to make fun of it?

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of ego

Noun

Maybe that’s the point — the film seeks to interrogate Mark’s narcissism — but every interaction feels like it’s been flattened into a series of predictable accusations instead of something that might provoke surprise or reflection.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
Her words are not of gratitude but resentment, bile and narcissism.

— Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of narcissism

Noun

The imaginary audience belief arises from the larger concept of adolescent egocentrism.

— Sarah Vanbuskirk, Parents, 16 Sep. 2026
Young children frequently blame themselves due to egocentrism, while the transition to two homes presents logistical and emotional challenges.

— Patricia Fersch, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of egocentrism

Noun

Kikuko sometimes mistook Shigejiro’s cheerfulness for egoism owing to the distortions produced by her illness.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
There was too much egoism politically for each country to be all together with a unique economy, language and president.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2026

Definition of egoism

Browse Nearby Words

self-centered

self-centeredness

self-collected

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Self-centeredness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-centeredness. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of self-centeredness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes