self-help

noun

ˈself-ˈhelp How to pronounce self-help (audio)
Southern also ˈhep
: the action or process of bettering oneself or overcoming one's problems without the aid of others
especially : the coping with one's personal or emotional problems without professional help
self-help adjective

Examples of self-help in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Created by The Weeknd and Euphoria showrunner Sam Levinson, The Idol followed a self-help guru and secret cult leader (The Weeknd) helping Depp's character, pop star Jocelyn, create an edgier image after being scrutinized by the media. Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 As Joe Domínguez and Vicki Robin wrote in their wildly influential 1992 self-help book Your Money or Your Life, financial independence means not having to work for a living, accruing enough to pay your bills via passive income. Joshua Rivera, Vanity Fair, 8 June 2026 In the latter category is the childhood home of Mary (Renate Reinsve), a psychiatrist who confidently expounds her therapeutic philosophy in her sessions with clients and on late-night TV commercials promoting her self-help audio cassette tapes. Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026 Grotesque sea hags, killer clowns, demonic self-help books and more plague the town and its mayor, Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys). Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-help

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-help was in 1628

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-help.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-help. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

self-help

noun
ˈself-ˈhelp
: the act of bettering oneself or overcoming one's problems without aid of others

Legal Definition

self-help

noun
ˈself-ˈhelp
: the act of redressing or preventing a wrong by one's own actions rather than through legal proceedings

Note: The Uniform Commercial Code permits creditors to repossess collateral by self-help if it can be done without a breach of the peace.

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