self-centered

adjective

self-cen·​tered ˌself-ˈsen-tərd How to pronounce self-centered (audio)
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

Examples of self-centered in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Climbing and acting are both very self-centered and at the same time social. James Nachtwey, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024 Beane and Brand systematically built a game-winning team off of statistics and budget, rather than investing the entire franchise's finances into players who were flashy, self-centered, or individually successful. Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2023 Both candidates are too ambitiously self-centered to be stellar parents. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024 While Boomers may accuse Millennials of being self-centered and impatient due to their excessive use of technology, this generation has proven to actually be incredibly community-oriented and environmentally conscious, which are traits that are being picked up by their children. Sarah Cottrell, Parents, 12 Jan. 2024 Sharon has a brash personality, a grating voice, and is very self-centered. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 23 Dec. 2023 Trump Said About Ex-Husband Donald Trump's Presidency The New York source says Barry thought her brother was too self-centered to have a healthy outlook on life in general. Linda Marx, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023 In The Stones and Brian Jones, people describe Jones as alternately sweet, gentlemanly, insecure or self-centered. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2023 The result: Issac is overindulged and self-centered—and Ali feels responsible. Denise Schipani, Parents, 3 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-centered.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near self-centered

Cite this Entry

“Self-centered.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-centered. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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