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

The already large deficit means that higher rates become a self-fulfilling problem as more and more of future bond raises goes towards paying interest, which investors demand a higher rate for, creating a growing deficit spiral in an inflationary environment. —Mark Le Dain, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025

Fears of a recession also loom, said Finance Director Debbie Moreno, and sometimes those fears become self-fulfilling. —Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 20 June 2025

But this risk-aversion becomes self-fulfilling: fewer novel approaches being tested means fewer opportunities for breakthrough discoveries. —Samir Khleif, Time, 11 June 2025

Over time, doing this kind of work repeatedly can build expertise, reinforcing the stereotype and creating a self-fulfilling cycle that keeps women in support roles and men in strategic ones. —Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

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