self-sufficient

adjective

self-suf·​fi·​cient ˌself-sə-ˈfi-shənt How to pronounce self-sufficient (audio)
Synonyms of self-sufficientnext
1
: able to maintain oneself or itself without outside aid : capable of providing for one's own needs
a self-sufficient farm
2
: having an extreme confidence in one's own ability or worth : haughty, overbearing

Synonyms of self-sufficient

Examples of self-sufficient in a Sentence

the college student worked nights so that he would be self-sufficient
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The local artists are self-sufficient. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2025 Today, as the list of skills required for self-sufficient financial citizenship has ballooned, some better-off families have taken allowances even further—and a new group of apps and games has popped up to help. Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025 China wants to become technologically self-sufficient and no amount of US policy will change that. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 9 Dec. 2025 The broader the range of usable plant and aquatic species, the more resilient – and self-sufficient – the system becomes. New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-sufficient

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-sufficient was in 1596

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-sufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-sufficient. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-sufficient

adjective
self-suf·​fi·​cient
ˌself-sə-ˈfish-ənt
: able to take care of oneself without outside help : independent

More from Merriam-Webster on self-sufficient

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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