self-reinforcing
adjective
self-re·in·forc·ing
ˌself-ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯr-siŋ
: tending or serving to strengthen itself : reinforcing itself
According to this thinking, a self-reinforcing feedback loop—bigger brains, better tools, more food—drove forward the process of human evolution.—
Michael Rothschild
Michael RothschildJust as many negative behaviors are self-reinforcing, we often view related positive behaviors as more trouble than they're worth.—Colleen Dunn Bates
Colleen Dunn BatesExamples of self-reinforcing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The report concludes that several steps meant to address a small instability made matters worse, eventually leading to a self-reinforcing cascade where high voltages caused power plants to drop off the grid, thereby increasing the voltage further.
—ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025
This created a self-reinforcing bubble in which the top talent was all concentrated in the same place; this, in turn, supported an informal apprenticeship system under which younger crew members learned on the job, providing a steady influx of skilled labor.
—Lane Brown, Vulture, 3 June 2025
These mechanisms can lead to emotional decompensation (as a form of compensatory refuge) and self-reinforcing cycles (withdrawal-like phenomena).
—Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
The property tax is also 'self-reinforcing,' meaning as local services improve, property valuations increase.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
Locke argued that the dominate narrative of a worldwide mental health crisis creates a self-reinforcing feedback loop.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
This creates a self-reinforcing loop where the person continues expecting the worst — and may act in ways that provoke it.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
If Stiglitz’s assertion holds true, this tech billionaire's club, could yield the same political power to weaken political oversight, which will lead to a self-reinforcing cycle of unchecked market power which will lead to unchecked political influence, and an entrenched monopoly.
—Hessie Jones, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Organizations prioritizing learning opportunities create self-reinforcing growth cycles, where personal development fuels higher performance, which inspires further development.
5.
—Jack Zenger, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
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ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025
This created a self-reinforcing bubble in which the top talent was all concentrated in the same place; this, in turn, supported an informal apprenticeship system under which younger crew members learned on the job, providing a steady influx of skilled labor.
—Lane Brown, Vulture, 3 June 2025
These mechanisms can lead to emotional decompensation (as a form of compensatory refuge) and self-reinforcing cycles (withdrawal-like phenomena).
—Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
The property tax is also 'self-reinforcing,' meaning as local services improve, property valuations increase.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
Locke argued that the dominate narrative of a worldwide mental health crisis creates a self-reinforcing feedback loop.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
This creates a self-reinforcing loop where the person continues expecting the worst — and may act in ways that provoke it.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
If Stiglitz’s assertion holds true, this tech billionaire's club, could yield the same political power to weaken political oversight, which will lead to a self-reinforcing cycle of unchecked market power which will lead to unchecked political influence, and an entrenched monopoly.
—Hessie Jones, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Organizations prioritizing learning opportunities create self-reinforcing growth cycles, where personal development fuels higher performance, which inspires further development.
5.
—Jack Zenger, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-reinforcing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-reinforcing. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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