autarky

noun

au·​tar·​ky ˈȯ-ˌtär-kē 

1

: self-sufficiency, independence

specifically : national economic self-sufficiency and independence

2

: a policy of establishing a self-sufficient and independent national economy

Examples of autarky in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Imperial Russia embraced autarky in the late nineteenth century to avoid vulnerability. —Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 14 May 2025

Given the isolationist tendencies of the U.S. public and Congress in the pre-war years—best exemplified by passage of the neutrality laws in the mid 1930s—Roosevelt’s ability to counter the economic autarky and expansionist aims of fascist Germany, Italy, and Japan was severely limited. —Time, 12 Apr. 2025

Once a backward autarky, Russia now had real banks and a stock exchange. —WSJ, 15 June 2022

Putin and his inner circle are the only ones who aspire to Russian autarky. —Nate Sibley, National Review, 23 Feb. 2022

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin autarkia, borrowed from Greek autárkeia "self-sufficiency," derivative of autárkēs "self-sufficient, strong enough on one's own," from aut- aut- + -arkēs, adjective derivative from the stem of arkéō, arkeîn "to hold off, repel, provide defense, assist, be sufficient, be satisfied" — more at ark

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for autarky

• menarche
• arche
• sparky
• hierarchy
• matriarchy
• oligarchy
• patriarchy