self-centered
5 synonyms and 4 antonyms for self-centered, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Concerned mainly with your own interests, needs and feelings, and giving little thought to other people's.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use self-centered
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a self-centered attitude
utterly self-centered
self-centered and immature
Neutral in form but plainly critical in effect; not a word to use to someone's face lightly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between self-centered and selfish?
Selfish is about behaviour: taking more than your share and denying it to others. Self-centered is about attention: the world is organised around you in your own head, so you may not even notice that others have needs. A self-centered person is often selfish, but they can also be generous in a way that is still all about themselves.
Is self-centered the same as narcissistic?
No. Self-centered is an ordinary character description that fits most people some of the time. Narcissistic personality disorder is a clinical diagnosis involving a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration and lack of empathy that damages the person's life and relationships.
How is it spelled in British English?
Self-centred. The American spelling is self-centered; both are always hyphenated.
