self-realization

noun

self-re·​al·​i·​za·​tion ˌself-ˌrē-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce self-realization (audio)
: fulfillment by oneself of the possibilities of one's character or personality

Examples of self-realization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For them, stories of female self-realization that began on-screen transformed them off-screen. Shanelle Genai, Variety, 16 Feb. 2024 The arc of the story is Celie’s journey toward self-realization and freedom, a theme that pops up across Walker’s work and embodies her perspective on Black women’s liberation, which is as much about race as gender. Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 19 Dec. 2023 Was everyone supposed to have done their own self-exploration—self-realization—long ago? Clare Sestanovich, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023 This stands in stark contrast to a decade ago, when top officials stressed the importance of both equality and women’s self-realization, said Hanzhang Liu, a political studies professor at Pitzer College who has examined speeches by senior officials at several congresses over the past two decades. Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2023 The Zone is a mysterious dimension of creative cruise control — without self-realization or linear thought. Jonathan Rowe, Spin, 19 Sep. 2023 Reading Carl Jung’s theory of individuation, the development of self-realization, led her to see her seven chickens as one continuous being, always in communication with wild birds. Jennifer Piejko, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023 As a provocative artist at a critical time, his self-realization – on multiple levels – of salvation feels larger than music. Marcus K. Dowling, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023 While maturing, a person gradually gets liberated from the opinions of these figures and seeks or needs less approval and encouragement for self-realization. Naira Velumyan, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-realization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-realization was circa 1815

Dictionary Entries Near self-realization

Cite this Entry

“Self-realization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-realization. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on self-realization

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!