self-reliant

adjective

self-re·​li·​ant ˌself-ri-ˈlī-ənt How to pronounce self-reliant (audio)
: having confidence in and exercising one's own powers or judgment

Examples of self-reliant in a Sentence

a surprisingly calm and self-reliant child
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.
Instead, Battilana emphasizes that learning your way around the kitchen from a young age can help a person feel more self-reliant. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 30 Sep. 2025 Sigma: This term refers to an independent or self-reliant person who operates outside traditional social hierarchies, like a lone wolf. Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025 And yet Birkin was far from the self-reliant gamine embodied by Clara Bow. Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025 America gave me the confidence of being self-reliant, to care for oneself. Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-reliant

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-reliant was in 1834

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Cite this Entry

“Self-reliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-reliant. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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