self-sufficiency
noun
self-suf·fi·cien·cy
ˌself-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 
: the quality or state of being self-sufficient
Synonyms
Examples of self-sufficiency in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To my mind, these little candies, with all their unassuming qualities, represent self-sufficiency in the South, a place where cottage industry thrives and enables people to survive.
—
Lisa Donovan, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2023
In the period of rapid industrialization after the U.S. pushed Japan to open its borders in 1854, ending centuries of isolationism and near self-sufficiency, Western equaled modern.
—Hannah Kirshner, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2023
State public-assistance programs should be there to provide support in times of need but designed to emphasize the importance of self-sufficiency.
—Arthur B. Laffer, National Review, 18 Oct. 2023
The goal is to provide a place to live right away and a path to self-sufficiency.
—Gail Cornwall, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023
Xi’s new industrialization plan looks more like a way to contextualize China’s policy goals, which are primarily intended to help achieve tech self-sufficiency and compete with the West, rather than to boost GDP growth, analysts from Capital Economics said.
—Laura He, CNN, 6 Oct. 2023
In recent years, a wave of new analysis has spurred a critical rethinking of what Green Revolution-style farming really means for food supplies and self-sufficiency.
—Glenn Davis Stone, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2023
The residents of Adjuntas have chosen a path toward self-sufficiency and a power system that is relatively clean, decentralized, and resilient.
—Maximiliano Ferrari, IEEE Spectrum, 16 Sep. 2023
But Europe has no intention of cutting relations with China or seeking self-sufficiency or import substitution, Valdis Dombrovskis said during a Monday keynote speech at Tsinghua University.
—Laura He, CNN, 25 Sep. 2023
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Lisa Donovan, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2023
In the period of rapid industrialization after the U.S. pushed Japan to open its borders in 1854, ending centuries of isolationism and near self-sufficiency, Western equaled modern.
—Hannah Kirshner, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2023
State public-assistance programs should be there to provide support in times of need but designed to emphasize the importance of self-sufficiency.
—Arthur B. Laffer, National Review, 18 Oct. 2023
The goal is to provide a place to live right away and a path to self-sufficiency.
—Gail Cornwall, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023
Xi’s new industrialization plan looks more like a way to contextualize China’s policy goals, which are primarily intended to help achieve tech self-sufficiency and compete with the West, rather than to boost GDP growth, analysts from Capital Economics said.
—Laura He, CNN, 6 Oct. 2023
In recent years, a wave of new analysis has spurred a critical rethinking of what Green Revolution-style farming really means for food supplies and self-sufficiency.
—Glenn Davis Stone, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2023
The residents of Adjuntas have chosen a path toward self-sufficiency and a power system that is relatively clean, decentralized, and resilient.
—Maximiliano Ferrari, IEEE Spectrum, 16 Sep. 2023
But Europe has no intention of cutting relations with China or seeking self-sufficiency or import substitution, Valdis Dombrovskis said during a Monday keynote speech at Tsinghua University.
—Laura He, CNN, 25 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-sufficiency.' 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
1598, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near self-sufficiency
Cite this Entry
“Self-sufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-sufficiency. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
self-sufficiency
noun
self-suf·fi·cien·cy
ˌself-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē
: the quality or state of being self-sufficient
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