self-reliant
adjective
self-re·li·ant
ˌself-ri-ˈlī-ənt 
: having confidence in and exercising one's own powers or judgment
Synonyms
Examples of self-reliant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The rioters, including men deputized by the civil officials, eventually descended on Greenwood, a neighborhood so self-reliant that it had become known as Black Wall Street.
—
Audra D. S. Burch, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2023
The 1964 film, which starred Julie Andrews, who won an Oscar for her performance, depicts a sensible and self-reliant British nanny with magical powers.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2023
Accustomed to her dad forgetting her pickup time, happily self-reliant Hana has walked home.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2023
The people here are compelled by their isolation to be self-reliant — the island is 27 miles to the nearest major grocery store on the mainland, and there’s only a single two-lane road — with no stoplight — out of town.
—Lori Rozsa, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023
Some of their breakthroughs, such as the nuclear tests that began in the mid-1970s, brought sanctions and restrictions on knowledge sharing that forced the scientists to become self-reliant for leaps forward.
—Mujib Mashal, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023
American men’s isolation stems in large part from a pervasive cultural belief, experts say: that men should be self-reliant and hide their emotions, especially from other men.
—Tara Bahrampour, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2023
Men are also taught to be self-reliant and not ask for help, Tran added, which can lead to anger, stress, anxiety, and depression.
—Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2023
The successful Latino criticizes nothing, because the successful Latino is grateful, dedicated and self-reliant.
—J.p Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2023
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Audra D. S. Burch, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2023
The 1964 film, which starred Julie Andrews, who won an Oscar for her performance, depicts a sensible and self-reliant British nanny with magical powers.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2023
Accustomed to her dad forgetting her pickup time, happily self-reliant Hana has walked home.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2023
The people here are compelled by their isolation to be self-reliant — the island is 27 miles to the nearest major grocery store on the mainland, and there’s only a single two-lane road — with no stoplight — out of town.
—Lori Rozsa, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023
Some of their breakthroughs, such as the nuclear tests that began in the mid-1970s, brought sanctions and restrictions on knowledge sharing that forced the scientists to become self-reliant for leaps forward.
—Mujib Mashal, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023
American men’s isolation stems in large part from a pervasive cultural belief, experts say: that men should be self-reliant and hide their emotions, especially from other men.
—Tara Bahrampour, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2023
Men are also taught to be self-reliant and not ask for help, Tran added, which can lead to anger, stress, anxiety, and depression.
—Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2023
The successful Latino criticizes nothing, because the successful Latino is grateful, dedicated and self-reliant.
—J.p Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-reliant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1834, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near self-reliant
Cite this Entry
“Self-reliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-reliant. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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