SELF-PREOCCUPATION Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

self-preoccupation

noun

ˌself-(ˌ)prē-ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən

as in selfness

excessive interest in oneself the smug self-preoccupation of a generation that had grown up experiencing nothing but affluence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of self-preoccupation The feeling of awe provides perspective and reduces self-preoccupation. — Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2026 Playwright Yasmina Reza’s middle-class cast of four brew, and gleefully quaff, an amoral spew of modern age self-preoccupation. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 2 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-preoccupation

Noun

Cook argues this creates an unintentional selfishness, in which your anxious thoughts distract you from noticing what’s actually going on with the people around you.

— Hannah Harper, HEALTH, 14 Aug. 2026
Sieler’s selfishness, in this sense his ability to get sacks himself, might be best for the team.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of selfishness

Noun

Prioritize Lasting Placements Over Speed In staffing, speed is a vanity metric.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Most Popular In Oona’s bathroom the tiles are from Country Floors, the vintage mirror is from Venice, Italy, and the vanity is an antique chest that was converted to a vanity with fittings by Waterworks.

— Sara Ruffin Costello, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of vanity

Browse Nearby Words

self-possession

self-preoccupation

self-preoccupied

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Self-preoccupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-preoccupation. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of self-preoccupation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cogent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes