an end in itself
noun phrase
: something that one does because one wants to and not because it will help achieve or accomplish something else
She started exercising for her health, but she enjoyed it so much that exercising became an end in itself.
For him, taking classes was an end in itself.
Examples of an end in itself in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To his credit, the mayor initially framed taxation as a tool to achieve affordability and not an end in itself.
—
Steven Fulop, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
The show delivered a powerful visual impact but not as an end in itself.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Economic well-being risks becoming an end in itself rather than a means to human flourishing.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
What is clear is that Oklahoma has become a central player in a national strategy that treats detention not as a means of ensuring public safety, but as an end in itself, a system designed to pressure immigrants into giving up their legal claims and leaving the country voluntarily.
—Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Feb. 2026
First, when young children in these states were flagged as at risk for reading difficulties, schools were expected to provide additional reading instruction – rather than treating screening as an end in itself.
—Eric Hengyu Hu, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
So the talks in Muscat could be the beginning of a more formal negotiation process, rather than an end in itself.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
The exacting, obsessive thoroughness with which Cameron has imagined this world is not an end in itself, however.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Treat process as a way to keep work moving safely and efficiently toward the goal, not as an end in itself.
—Lindsay Phillips, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
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Steven Fulop, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
The show delivered a powerful visual impact but not as an end in itself.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Economic well-being risks becoming an end in itself rather than a means to human flourishing.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
What is clear is that Oklahoma has become a central player in a national strategy that treats detention not as a means of ensuring public safety, but as an end in itself, a system designed to pressure immigrants into giving up their legal claims and leaving the country voluntarily.
—Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Feb. 2026
First, when young children in these states were flagged as at risk for reading difficulties, schools were expected to provide additional reading instruction – rather than treating screening as an end in itself.
—Eric Hengyu Hu, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
So the talks in Muscat could be the beginning of a more formal negotiation process, rather than an end in itself.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
The exacting, obsessive thoroughness with which Cameron has imagined this world is not an end in itself, however.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Treat process as a way to keep work moving safely and efficiently toward the goal, not as an end in itself.
—Lindsay Phillips, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“An end in itself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/an%20end%20in%20itself. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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