self-perpetuating
adjective
self-per·pet·u·at·ing
ˌself-pər-ˈpe-chə-ˌwā-tiŋ 
: capable of continuing or renewing oneself indefinitely : capable of perpetuating oneself or itself
After years of experiments failing to reveal what maintains this remarkable population of self-perpetuating cells … researchers working with mice have now discovered a way to propagate the cells in the laboratory.—
S. Carpenter
S. Carpentera self-perpetuating problem [=a problem that causes circumstances that perpetuate the problem]
According to [Laura] Weston, the "self-perpetuating myth" that women's sport doesn't have any audience—which is used by broadcasters, sports editors and brands as the reason not to support it—is, of course, rubbish.—Nicole Kemp
Nicole KempNew research from Chicago University has discovered that there's a reason why some people who feel lonely often get into a self-perpetuating cycle of loneliness, avoiding social interaction so they won't be rejected.—Kate Whiting
Kate WhitingExamples of self-perpetuating in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alarm bells sounding in forests and oceans In the Amazon, self-perpetuating feedback loops threaten the stability of the Earth’s largest rain forest, an ecosystem that influences global climate.
—Alexandra A Phillips, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2025
In the arms race for audience’s undivided attention, both single-player and competitive games have become their own self-perpetuating ecosystems.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
As with the epidemic of gun violence, the self-perpetuating cycle of online radicalization continues unbroken, with harrowing consequences for all sides of the political spectrum.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2025
No doubt, social media is both a window into how flawed people have always been and a self-perpetuating catalyst for further madness.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
The goal is self-perpetuating aid rather than endless fundraising drives.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Welcome to the leak doom loop—a self-perpetuating cycle of internal leaks, reactionary crackdowns and eroding trust that can quietly destabilize even the strongest organizations.
—Troy Batterberry, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
As a private, for-profit company, nominally owned by investors but run by a self-perpetuating board, Vanguard is not required to report marketing costs, CEO pay, or other basic expenses.
—Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
The team riding the thinnest edge between terrified anxiety and self-perpetuating hype.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 12 July 2025
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Alexandra A Phillips, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2025
In the arms race for audience’s undivided attention, both single-player and competitive games have become their own self-perpetuating ecosystems.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
As with the epidemic of gun violence, the self-perpetuating cycle of online radicalization continues unbroken, with harrowing consequences for all sides of the political spectrum.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2025
No doubt, social media is both a window into how flawed people have always been and a self-perpetuating catalyst for further madness.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
The goal is self-perpetuating aid rather than endless fundraising drives.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Welcome to the leak doom loop—a self-perpetuating cycle of internal leaks, reactionary crackdowns and eroding trust that can quietly destabilize even the strongest organizations.
—Troy Batterberry, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
As a private, for-profit company, nominally owned by investors but run by a self-perpetuating board, Vanguard is not required to report marketing costs, CEO pay, or other basic expenses.
—Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
The team riding the thinnest edge between terrified anxiety and self-perpetuating hype.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-perpetuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-perpetuating. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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