Synonyms for "selfish"

13 kid-friendly synonyms for selfish, sorted by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8).

What does "selfish" mean?

The word selfish is an adjective that means: thinking only about yourself, not others.

Example: "Don't be selfish with toys."

Grade K–2Easy synonyms for selfish

Younger kids can use these in place of "selfish":

Grade 3–5Stronger words for selfish

For elementary writers ready to add precision and variety to their vocabulary:

Grade 6–8Middle-school vocabulary for selfish

Tier 2 academic alternatives — useful for essays, persuasive writing, and standardized tests:

Opposites of selfish (antonyms)

Words that mean the opposite of selfish:

See the full selfish antonyms page →

FAQ — synonyms for selfish

What is a good synonym for selfish in a kid's writing?
For K-2 writers, try greedy. For older students, "self-centered" reads more naturally in school writing.
How many synonyms does selfish have?
We list 13 grade-appropriate synonyms for selfish across three reading levels. Adults' thesauruses include dozens more, but most aren't useful for K-8 vocabulary.
Is selfish a noun, verb, or adjective?
In this entry, selfish is used as an adjective.

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