as in independence
the ability to care for one's self
some people don't achieve self-reliance until they're over 30 years old
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of self-reliance
In recent months Daum has spoken on her podcast and written in the New York Times about how the fire has utterly changed her life: A lifelong commitment to self-reliance, inherited from her parents, has given way to a new understanding of the relationship between help and love.
—
Charles Arrowsmith, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
But doctrines to shrink-the-state and cut taxes have limited revenue collection, thus hindering self-reliance.
—David Sogge, Time, 5 Apr. 2025
Country Montessori School is dedicated to sparking each child’s self-reliance, empathy, and resilience.
—Jose Bolanos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
By implementing reciprocal tariffs, President Trump is trying to level the playing field and generate revenue for the government while signaling a move away from globalization toward economic self-reliance.
—Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Charles Arrowsmith, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
But doctrines to shrink-the-state and cut taxes have limited revenue collection, thus hindering self-reliance.
—David Sogge, Time, 5 Apr. 2025
Country Montessori School is dedicated to sparking each child’s self-reliance, empathy, and resilience.
—Jose Bolanos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
By implementing reciprocal tariffs, President Trump is trying to level the playing field and generate revenue for the government while signaling a move away from globalization toward economic self-reliance.
—Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reliance
Noun
-
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage.—
Tyler Holzhammer,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
In her ruling, Judge Howell framed the targeting of Perkins as an attack on the independence of the legal profession and the judicial system.—
Ryan Lucas,
NPR,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
The chaser’s desire for closeness can overwhelm the spacer, who may feel emotionally suffocated or in need of autonomy.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
With the proliferation of gen-AI, ethical concerns toward its application have re-entered the spotlight, including issues of water and energy consumption/waste and artist alarm over creative autonomy and exploitation.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
Noun
-
With Mercury retrograde in your sign starting on the 15th, old fears around your self-sufficiency might be resurfacing.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
-
To develop America first, protectionists turned inward, encouraged economic isolation, and touted the U.S. as the only nation capable of true economic self-sufficiency.—
Made by History,
Time,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reliance. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share