Self-seeking — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˌself-ˈsē-kiŋ/ self-seek·ing

Meaning & Definition of Self-seeking

Self-seeking (noun)

  1. the act or practice of selfishly advancing one's own ends

Self-seeking (adjective)

  1. seeking only to further one's own interests

Self-seeking (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having a strong desire for personal advancement

    "a self-seeking schemer who claimed others' ideas and achievements as his own"

    similar: ambitious, aspiring, go-getting, hard-driving, pushing
    related: determined, diligent, driving, dynamic, enterprising, gung ho, hungry, hustling, industrious, motivated, scrappy, venturesome, venturous, animated, lively, spirited, ardent, avid, eager, energetic, impassioned, keen, raring, vigorous, aggressive, assertive, high-flying, opportunistic, overambitious, pretentious, pushy, self-assertive, competing, competitive, rival, rivalrous
    opposite: ambitionless, unambitious
    near: apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic, unexcited, uninterested, casual, easygoing, lackadaisical, lazyish, halfhearted, lukewarm, tepid, lazy, lethargic, listless, shiftless, sluggish, spiritless, unaggressive, unassertive

  2. overly concerned with one's own desires, needs, or interests

    "a self-seeking woman who could be counted on to sidetrack all conversation into a discussion of her problems"

    similar: egocentric, egoistic, egomaniacal, egotistic, narcissistic, self-absorbed, self-centered, self-concerned, self-infatuated, self-interested, self-involved, self-loving, self-obsessed, self-oriented, self-preoccupied, self-regarding, self-serving, selfish, solipsistic
    related: inner-directed, complacent, conceited, overweening, pompous, prideful, proud, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-contented, self-directed, self-glorifying, self-important, self-indulgent, self-opinionated, self-pleased, self-satisfied, smug, vain, vainglorious
    opposite: self-forgetful, self-forgetting, selfless, unselfish
    near: altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, charitable, generous, greathearted, humanitarian, magnanimous, philanthropic, self-denying, self-giving, self-sacrificing, other-directed, diffident, self-doubting, self-flagellating, self-questioning, self-reflective

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Self-seeking

The most common words with a similar meaning to Self-seeking:

ambitious, aspiring, go-getting, hard-driving, pushing, egocentric, egoistic, egomaniacal, egotistic, narcissistic, self-absorbed, self-centered, self-concerned, self-infatuated, self-interested, self-involved, self-loving, self-obsessed, self-oriented, self-preoccupied, self-regarding, self-serving, selfish, solipsistic

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Self-seeking

Words with the opposite meaning of Self-seeking:

ambitionless, unambitious, self-forgetful, self-forgetting, selfless, unselfish

Related Words for Self-seeking

determined, diligent, driving, dynamic, enterprising, gung ho, hungry, hustling, industrious, motivated, scrappy, venturesome, venturous, animated, lively, spirited, ardent, avid, eager, energetic, impassioned, keen, raring, vigorous, aggressive, assertive, high-flying, opportunistic, overambitious, pretentious

Near Antonyms of Self-seeking

apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic, unexcited, uninterested, casual, easygoing, lackadaisical, lazyish, halfhearted, lukewarm, tepid, lazy, lethargic, listless, shiftless, sluggish, spiritless, unaggressive, unassertive, altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, charitable, generous, greathearted, humanitarian, magnanimous

Origin & Etymology of Self-seeking

First known use: 1574

Frequently Asked Questions about Self-seeking

What does "Self-seeking" mean?

"Self-seeking" means the act or practice of selfishly advancing one's own ends. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: the act or practice of selfishly advancing one's own ends. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Self-seeking"?

Other words for "Self-seeking" include ambitious, aspiring, go-getting, hard-driving, pushing, egocentric, egoistic and egomaniacal. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Self-seeking" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Self-seeking"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Self-seeking". Common alternatives include ambitious, aspiring, go-getting, hard-driving, pushing, egocentric, egoistic, egomaniacal, egotistic and narcissistic.

What is the opposite of "Self-seeking"?

Antonyms of "Self-seeking" include ambitionless, unambitious, self-forgetful, self-forgetting, selfless and unselfish. Near antonyms include apathetic, disinterested, indifferent and uneager.

How do you use "Self-seeking" in a sentence?

Examples of "Self-seeking" in a sentence: "a self-seeking schemer who claimed others' ideas and achievements as his own"; "a self-seeking woman who could be counted on to sidetrack all conversation into a discussion of her problems".

Is "Self-seeking" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Self-seeking" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Self-seeking"?

"Self-seeking" is pronounced /ˌself-ˈsē-kiŋ/ and divided into syllables as self-seek·ing.

What is the origin of the word "Self-seeking"?

First known use: 1574.