self-interestedadj.
/ˌsɛlfˈɪntrᵻstᵻd/, /ˌsɛlfˈɪnt(ə)rɛstᵻd/, U.S. /ˌsɛlfˈɪn(t)ərəstəd/, /ˌsɛlfˈɪntrəstəd/, /ˌsɛlfˈɪn(t)əˌrɛstəd/ Motivated or influenced by regard for one's own advantage or welfare; characterized by self-interest.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > [adjective]
self-seeking?1575
self-respecting1597
proprietariousa1633
self-ended1643
self-interessed1645
self-interested1648
self-concerned1653
self-concerning1656
self-biased1662
self-ending1698
interested1705
self-interesting1710
1648 Mad Dog Rebellion 6 We must never expect this happinesse as long as this mighty self-interested, and selfe-partiall party..are so prevalent and powerfull.
1688 Ld. Churchill Let. to King (single sheet) Those unhappy Designs, which inconsiderate and self-interested Men have framed against Your Majesty's true Interest.
1707 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1886) II. 48 A little sneaking stingy self-interested Fellow.
1784 J. Potter Virtuous Villagers II. 69 The gifts of Fortune..applied to..self-interested purposes.
1834 K. H. Digby Mores Catholici V. x. 360 The zeal of the middle ages had..nothing to recommend it to the favour of..self-interested reformers.
1863 M. Oliphant Salem Chapel I. v. 79 I must learn to be prudent and self-interested for your sakes.
1912 Common Cause Nov. 667/2 The man who espoused Socialism from self interested motives would be the first to become dissatisfied..if the rewards fell short of his expectations.
1984 A. Oakley Taking it like Woman (1985) 2 Such a drive to self-knowledge is more than the dilatory self-interested pastime of the so-called liberated woman.
2004 Chicago Tribune (Midwest ed.) 11 Jan. xiv. 4/2 Virtually everyone in the novel is either a brave and selfless person..or a self-interested careerist.
Derivatives
self-ˈinterestedness n.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > [noun] > quality or state
self-endednessc1650
self-interestedness1674
interestedness1711
self-seekingness1833
on-the-make-ness1923
kiasu1978
1674 Baptism, Infant-baptism, & Quakerism Considered App. 47 You bewailed together the sins of your Prosperity, your Animosities, your contentions, Pride, and self-interestedness.
1744 R. North & M. North Life Sir D. North & Rev. J. North 6 Experience of Mens ordinary Self-Interestedness and Treachery.
2014 Polit. Res. Q. 67 599/2 Self-interestedness does not render men unfit for liberal constitutional government, as it might for the classical republic of virtue.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1648