1. relating to or characterized by self-indulgence, self-gratification, or excessive concern with one's own pleasure or interests
Usage: formal or literary; often pejorative

Examples

• The critic dismissed the film as onanistic, more concerned with the director's ego than with telling a meaningful story.
• His onanistic approach to leadership prioritized personal gain over the welfare of his team.
• The novel was criticized for its onanistic focus on the protagonist's desires rather than broader social themes.
• She rejected the onanistic philosophy that encouraged people to pursue only their own happiness.
• The artist's onanistic tendencies were evident in work that seemed designed solely to please himself.