self-fulfilling

adjective

self-ful·​fill·​ing ˌself-fu̇l-ˈfi-liŋ 

1

: becoming real or true by virtue of having been predicted or expected

a self-fulfilling prophecy

2

: marked by or achieving self-fulfillment

Examples of self-fulfilling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This mindset may even be beneficial; having negative ideas about aging is linked to worse health outcomes, almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy. — Richard Sima, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026

The opposition to Prop 40 may in some ways be a self-fulfilling prophecy, as billionaires including Brin shift business entities out of California in favor of states without similar wealth taxes. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

While not always negative, transference can replace curiosity with assumptions, leading to self-fulfilling prophecies. — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

For adults, a faulty diagnosis can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, O’Sullivan said. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for self-fulfilling

• backfilling
• distilling
• fulfilling
• infilling
• instilling
• refilling
• sawmilling
• unwilling
• billing
• chilling
• drilling
• filling