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View synonyms for self-absorbed

self-absorbed

[ self-ab-sawrbd, -zawrbd, self- ]

adjective

  1. preoccupied with one's own thoughts, interests, etc., especially to the extent that other people and things go unnoticed:

    She was criticized for being too self-absorbed, but she was an inventor, and when struck by an idea she had to shut the world out in order to focus on it.



self-absorbed

adjective

  1. preoccupied with one's own thoughts, emotions, life, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of self-absorbed1

First recorded in 1840–50
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Example Sentences

“He was unhinged, often incoherent, incapable of completing thoughts and sentences when he had points to make, and led into self-absorbed rabbit-holes.”

“Jealous? Of what, a prince?! You must have hit your head. Royals are completely self-absorbed and make life a nightmare for the rest of us. Have I been unclear about how much I dislike them?”

She is your textbook unlikeable protagonist: a self-absorbed main character who serves as a mirror to our own worst impulses.

From Salon

"This was a self-absorbed relationship between two selfish and arrogant individuals and caught in the middle of that toxic relationship was a baby that was manifestly not being cared for properly," Mr Little said.

From BBC

Speaking to about a couple hundred people gathered outside a historic opera house in Newberry Saturday morning, Haley painted Trump as someone an erratic and self-absorbed figure not focused on the American people.

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Related Words

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More About Self Absorbed

What does self-absorbed mean?

Self-absorbed is an adjective used to describe a person who’s preoccupied with their own wants and needs.

When used in this term, the word absorbed means deeply preoccupied or totally wrapped up in something—in this case, oneself.

Self-absorbed is almost always used negatively. When you call people self-absorbed, it usually means you think they only think about and care about themselves.

The term is typically used to describe a person’s overall personality (as opposed to their behavior on a certain day or at a certain time).

The state of being self-absorbed is called self-absorption (notice how the b becomes a p in the noun absorption).

Example: My therapist helped me to see how self-absorbed I was, only ever thinking about myself and making everything about me.

Where does self-absorbed come from?

The first records of the term self-absorbed come from the 1800s. The term is formed in the same way as its very close synonym self-centered. People who are self-centered are centered on themselves, and people who are self-absorbed are completely absorbed (totally preoccupied) with themselves.

We call people self-absorbed when it seems like they’re incapable of thinking of anything other than themselves. People who are self-absorbed will always find a way to talk about themselves, no matter what the topic of conversation is. When you try to talk to a self-absorbed person about your problems, they end up making everything about them.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to self-absorbed?

What are some synonyms for self-absorbed?

What are some words that share a root or word element with self-absorbed

What are some words that often get used in discussing self-absorbed?

 

How is self-absorbed used in real life?

Self-absorbed is almost always used negatively as a way to criticize people who only seem to be interested in themselves and their own needs.

 

 

Try using self-absorbed!

Which of the following words would NOT be used to describe someone who’s considered self-absorbed?

A. selfless
B. narcissistic
C. egotistical
D. vain

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self-abnegationself-absorption