self-preoccupation

noun

ˌself-(ˌ)prē-ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce self-preoccupation (audio)
Definition of self-preoccupationnext
as in selfness
excessive interest in oneself the smug self-preoccupation of a generation that had grown up experiencing nothing but affluence

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-preoccupation The feeling of awe provides perspective and reduces self-preoccupation. — Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2026 Playwright Yasmina Reza’s middle-class cast of four brew, and gleefully quaff, an amoral spew of modern age self-preoccupation. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 2 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-preoccupation
  1. selfishness
  2. vanity
  3. ego
Noun
  • Cook argues this creates an unintentional selfishness, in which your anxious thoughts distract you from noticing what’s actually going on with the people around you.
    — Hannah Harper, HEALTH, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Sieler’s selfishness, in this sense his ability to get sacks himself, might be best for the team.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of selfishness
Noun
  • What begins with the seeds of a vanity project organically blossoms into something that encompasses the many people Ryan’s life touches.
    — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Using information from witnesses and footage from Flock cameras, investigators identified the suspect vehicle as a gray Ford F-150 pickup truck with a California vanity license plate, Johnson said.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of vanity
Noun
  • The fact that both quarterbacks checked their ego at the door has impressed North Stars coach Rob Pomazak.
    — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes, even when the prosecutor involved almost certainly knows something other than justice is in the works, there is a momentum of ego and bureaucracy that is hard to reverse.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of ego

Browse Nearby Words

self-possession
self-preoccupation
self-preoccupied
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-preoccupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-preoccupation. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All