selfless
Putting others first
Selfless describes putting others' interests above your own, acting without concern for personal benefit or recognition.
A selfless act expects nothing in return: She made a selfless sacrifice for her family.
The word implies genuine disregard for self-interest rather than mere generosity.
Some question whether truly selfless behavior exists, since even altruism may satisfy psychological needs.
Feeling what others feel
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- benevolentDesiring others' welfare
- kindheartedNaturally sympathetic and caring
- caringShowing kind concern
considerate · big-hearted · magnanimous · humanitarian · philanthropic · charitable · public-spirited · disinterested
Without inflated self-regard
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- humbleUnassuming about oneself
- meekHumbly unassertive
- pure-heartedSincerely good-natured
saintly · bodhisattva · karma yoga · agape · ascetic · surrendered · transcendent · enlightened
Unpaid willing participant
- activismDirect effort for reform
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- community serviceUnpaid labor benefiting society
- pro bonoFree professional services
philanthropy · aid worker · caregiver · nurse · social worker · missionary · Peace Corps · NGO
Showing bravery under threat
- braveShowing courage despite fear
- valiantCourageously determined
- nobleTitled or virtuous
- gallantCourageously attentive and refined
chivalrous · honorable · martyr · hero · rescuer · protector · defender · first responder
Wholly committed to something
- committedFirmly pledged or bound
- devotedLoyally and lovingly attached
- loyalFirm in allegiance
- faithfulConsistently loyal and true
steadfast · unwavering · tireless · wholehearted · single-minded · dutiful · service-oriented · surrendered
empathetic
Feeling what others feel
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- benevolentDesiring others' welfare
- kindheartedNaturally sympathetic and caring
caring · considerate · big-hearted · magnanimous · humanitarian · philanthropic · charitable · public-spirited · disinterested · giving
egoless
Without inflated self-regard
pure-hearted · saintly · bodhisattva · karma yoga · agape · ascetic · surrendered · transcendent · enlightened · awakened
volunteer
Unpaid willing participant
- activismDirect effort for reform
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- community serviceUnpaid labor benefiting society
pro bono · philanthropy · aid worker · caregiver · nurse · social worker · missionary · Peace Corps · NGO · humanitarian work
courageous
Showing bravery under threat
gallant · chivalrous · honorable · martyr · hero · rescuer · protector · defender · first responder · lifesaver
dedicated
Wholly committed to something
faithful · steadfast · unwavering · tireless · wholehearted · single-minded · dutiful · service-oriented · surrendered · unstinting
- Parenting Traitspatience, love, kindness, empathy, nurturing
- kind traitskind, caring, compassionate, nurturing, tender
- virtuousvirtuous, righteous, moral, upright, pure
- selfpersonal identity, psyche, ego, introspection, character
- moralitymoral, moral values, immoral, moral principles, moral code
- helpfulkind, useful, friendly, supportive, generous
selflessselfish
Concerned only with oneself
self-centered · self-centred · self-serving · self-interested · self-absorbed
selflessnarcissistic
Obsessed with one's image
egotistical · egomaniacal · vain · self-important · conceited
selflessgreedy
Excessively wanting more
grasping · acquisitive · covetous · avaricious · stingy
- selfless loveDevotion without self-interest
- selfless actDeed benefiting others only
- selfless serviceHelping others without personal gain