Selflessness
What it means
Generous concern for others before personal advantage.
Reach for it when naming a pattern of placing others' legitimate needs ahead of personal advantage
His selflessness inspired the whole team to help.
Words to choose between 8
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal |
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everyday
unselfishness
Fits when absence of selfish priority is the plain idea
Careful Unselfishness is less natural and can still include mixed motives.
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warm
Fits when sustained loyal care is the strength
Careful Devotion can be possessive or directed toward an abstract cause.
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warm
Fits when ample giving of time, attention, or resources matters
Careful Generosity does not require putting oneself second.
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professional
Fits when action benefits others without expected return
Careful Altruism is technical and may still involve personal satisfaction.
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professional
other-centeredness
Fits when attention consistently shifts toward others
Careful The term is awkward and can excuse neglect of self.
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professional
Fits when practical contribution to others is central
Careful Service may be paid or obligatory.
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formal
Fits when kind intention to benefit others matters
Careful Benevolence can be distant and paternalistic.
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formal
sacrifice
Fits when giving up something valuable for others is central
Careful Sacrifice is an act, not a stable quality, and can become unhealthy.
Opposites 3
- selfishness
- egotism
- greed
Common phrases 3
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act of selflessness
One act of selflessness gave every passenger time to leave.
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quiet selflessness
His quiet selflessness appeared in years of uncredited maintenance.
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selflessness and courage
Selflessness and courage guided the rescue, but training made it safe.
Word family 2
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Selflessness is not self-erasure. Praise should not normalize burnout, coercion, or neglect of legitimate personal needs.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Flame, not lame, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated