What Is Another Way to Say “Self-Interest”?

Looking for synonyms for self-interest? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say self-interest.

  • Selfishness
  • Egocentrism
  • Personal gain
  • Self-seeking
  • Individualism
  • Personal advantage
  • Self-centeredness
  • Self-concern
  • Self-absorption
  • Self-serving
  • Narcissism
  • Personal benefit
  • Self-regard
  • Self-involvement
  • Personal interest

Want to learn how to say self-interest professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Selfishness

Used when someone prioritizes their own needs or desires over others’.
Example: “His decision was criticized as an act of selfishness, disregarding team morale.”

2. Egocentrism

Appropriate for describing behavior focused on oneself without regard for others.
Example: “Her egocentrism in the workplace led to conflicts with her colleagues.”

3. Personal Gain

Refers to situations where individuals seek benefits or advantages for themselves.
Example: “He was accused of making business decisions purely for personal gain.”

4. Self-seeking

Used to describe actions motivated by personal benefit rather than collective good.
Example: “The manager’s self-seeking approach caused distrust among his team members.”

5. Individualism

Suitable in contexts where priority is given to personal goals over group objectives.
Example: “The company’s culture of individualism fosters a competitive environment.”

6. Personal Advantage

Describes a situation where personal benefits are sought or achieved.
Example: “She leveraged the situation to her personal advantage, securing a better deal.”

7. Self-centeredness

Used when actions are centered around one’s own interests and welfare.
Example: “His self-centeredness at work often led him to ignore collaborative opportunities.”

8. Self-concern

Appropriate for instances where one’s primary focus is on their own needs or issues.
Example: “The CEO’s self-concern was evident when he prioritized his bonuses over employee wages.”

9. Self-absorption

Refers to being preoccupied with one’s own affairs to the exclusion of others.
Example: “Her self-absorption made it difficult for her to see the team’s perspective.”

10. Self-serving

Indicates behavior that serves one’s own interests, often at the expense of others.
Example: “The director’s self-serving decisions were at odds with the company’s ethics.”

11. Narcissism

Used in the context of excessive self-admiration and disregard for others.
Example: “His narcissism affected his ability to lead effectively and consider others’ viewpoints.”

12. Personal Benefit

Refers to situations or actions taken for one’s own benefit.
Example: “The policy change was seen as primarily for his personal benefit, not the team’s.”

13. Self-regard

Suitable for describing a healthy level of self-interest or self-esteem.
Example: “Her self-regard motivated her to negotiate for fair compensation.”

14. Self-involvement

Describes being heavily focused on one’s own needs or affairs.
Example: “His self-involvement in project decisions overlooked the team’s input.”

15. Personal Interest

Used to describe involvement or actions driven by one’s own interests.
Example: “She pursued the partnership out of personal interest, aligning with her career goals.”

Linda Brown