self-fulfilling

adjective

self-ful·​fill·​ing ˌself-fu̇l-ˈfi-liŋ How to pronounce self-fulfilling (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Attitudes like these can easily become self-fulfilling. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025 The move, feeding off many legitimate motivations, is looking a bit self-fulfilling. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025 Yesterday seemed much more like a team retreating by choice, both through in-game changes and by the sheer fear of surrendering another lead — a fear that became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025 Undermining international diplomacy in these ways creates a self-fulfilling prophecy of defensiveness and inadequacy. David Miliband, Time, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-fulfilling

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-fulfilling was in 1832

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Cite this Entry

“Self-fulfilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-fulfilling. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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