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egoism

noun
ego·​ism | \ ˈē-gə-ˌwi-zəm How to pronounce egoism (audio) , -gō-ˌi- also ˈe-\

Definition of egoism

1a : a doctrine that individual self-interest is the actual motive of all conscious action
b : a doctrine that individual self-interest is the valid end of all actions
2 : excessive concern for oneself with or without exaggerated feelings of self-importance — compare egotism sense 2
Other Words from egoism Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about egoism

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Examples of egoism in a Sentence

because of her egoism, she never gave a thought to asking how the others felt

Recent Examples on the Web

 There must be some egoism in wanting to help because . . — Eliana Rudee, Jewish Journal, "Meet real-life 'Wonder Women' of Israel's volunteer medic team," 14 Mar. 2018 Between his unstoppable egoism and his consistent unpopularity, Trump may end up costing his party control of Congress. — Benjamin Hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Advisers Warn Trump About Prospect of Democratic Wave in 2018," 22 Dec. 2017 Once the powerful have embraced childish sparring and petty egoism, though, how can anyone escape it? — Amanda Hess, New York Times, "Who Doesn’t Love to Be ‘Petty’?," 5 Dec. 2017 Fight Club’s leering portrayal of male anger and egoism has become a militant-macho touchstone. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Harvey Weinstein, Jay-Z, and the Misuse of Art," 6 Oct. 2017 Huxley feared those who would give us so much information that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. — Brooke Gladstone, Slate Magazine, "Why Trump Lies," 18 May 2017 Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism . . . — Chloe Schildhause, HWD, "Comrade Detective," 4 Aug. 2017 Nearly forty years after the epochal music festival, the name Woodstock still evokes the heady idealism and drop-out egoism of a more hopeful era. — Bryan Miller, Town & Country, "The Hudson Valley: A River Runs Through It," 8 Sep. 2013 The national egoism that had inflicted so much suffering before 1945 would be suppressed on a new vision in which international politics would come to look more and more like domestic politics. — David Frum, The Atlantic, "The Death Knell for America's Global Leadership," 31 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'egoism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of egoism

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for egoism

egoism

noun
ego·​ism | \ ˈē-gə-ˌwiz-əm also ˈeg-ə-\

Medical Definition of egoism

1a : a doctrine that individual self-interest is the actual motive of all conscious action
b : a doctrine that individual self-interest is the valid end of all actions
2 : excessive concern for oneself without exaggerated feelings of self-importance — compare egotism

Other Words from egoism

egoist \ -​wəst How to pronounce egoist (audio) \ noun
egoistic \ ˌē-​gə-​ˈwis-​tik also ˌeg-​ə-​ \ also egoistical \ -​ti-​kəl How to pronounce egoistical (audio) \ adjective
egoistically \ -​ti-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce egoistically (audio) \ adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on egoism

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with egoism

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for egoism

Spanish Central: Translation of egoism

Nglish: Translation of egoism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of egoism for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about egoism

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