self-reliance

noun

ˌself-ri-ˈlī-ənts How to pronounce self-reliance (audio)
Definition of self-reliancenext
as in independence
the ability to care for one's self some people don't achieve self-reliance until they're over 30 years old

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of self-reliance To protect China from foreign supply risks, Xi made energy self-reliance a part of the country’s latest five-year plan. — Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026 Their source was the collective enthusiasm of a population that had gone into revolution—a revolution forming committees of social self-reliance in every field. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The music superstar grew up steeped in the ethic of self-reliance. — George F. Will, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026 Traditional ideas about masculinity continue to prize self-reliance, emotional control, and endurance. — Rachel Docekal, STAT, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reliance
  1. independence
  2. autonomy
  3. self-sufficiency
Noun
  • Parties that likely would support Eisenkot have vowed to improve Israel's international standing and work to conscript ultra-Orthodox men while bolstering the independence of the judiciary.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Parties that likely would support Eisenkot have vowed to improve Israel’s international standing and work to conscript ultra-Orthodox men while bolstering the independence of the judiciary.
    — Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of independence
Noun
  • Except in the extreme, legislators are loath to devalue local autonomy while also prioritizing delivery of state aid to diminish local tax burdens.
    — David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
  • But that same autonomy can be a flaw and speeding grows out of that.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of autonomy
Noun
  • But despite its leaders’ newfound interest in self-sufficiency, Europe remains dependent on the United States.
    — Claas Mertens, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
  • On her modest bookshelf, Gurdon already had useful models of self-sufficiency.
    — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of self-sufficiency

Browse Nearby Words

self-regulating
self-reliance
self-reliant
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Cite this Entry

“Self-reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reliance. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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