self-centered

adjective

self-cen·​tered ˌself-ˈsen-tərd How to pronounce self-centered (audio)
Synonyms of self-centerednext
1
: independent of outside force or influence : self-sufficient
2
: concerned solely with one's own desires, needs, or interests
self-centeredly adverb
self-centeredness noun

Synonyms

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Examples of self-centered in a Sentence

a group of self-centered residents with no interest or involvement in their community
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
To Tess, her daughter is self-centered, ungrateful and way too loud. — Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025 To do so would not only be quixotic but appear selfish and self-centered to the hundreds of employees who would lose their jobs, the researchers who would lose their funding, and the hundreds of students who could lose financial aid or have their visas withheld. — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 27 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-centered was in 1645

Rhymes for self-centered

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Browse Nearby Words

self-censorship
self-centered
self-centering
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Cite this Entry

“Self-centered.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-centered. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

self-centered

adjective
self-cen·​tered
ˈself-ˈsent-ərd
: interested chiefly in one's own self : selfish
self-centeredness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on self-centered

Nglish: Translation of self-centered for Spanish Speakers

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