self-reliance

noun

self-re·​li·​ance ˌself-ri-ˈlī-ənts 

: reliance on one's own efforts and abilities

Synonyms of self-reliance

• independence
• autonomy
• self-sufficiency

Examples of self-reliance in a Sentence

some people don't achieve self-reliance until they're over 30 years old

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Top Chinese leaders have said China should accelerate AI development and pursue technological self-reliance. — Chan Ho-Him, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Top Chinese leaders have said China should accelerate the AI development and pursue technological self-reliance. — ABC News, 15 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

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-reliance

• appliance
• compliance
• defiance
• reliance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience
• science

Kids Definition

self-reliance

noun

self-re·​li·​ance

ˌsel-fri-ˈlī-ənts

: trust in one's own efforts and abilities

self-reliant

-ənt

adjective