1
as in self-indulgent
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in independent
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Recent Examples of self-directed
Trade The Pool aims to help people become more financially capable and self-directed.
—
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
The group is entirely self-directed, and participants are encouraged to bring their own tools and materials.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
This could represent displacement or self-directed behaviors, and felines might use it as a social cue to elicit attention and interaction.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
People become more self-directed, propelling their own self-awareness and taking ownership of doing what’s right.
—Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
On Mondays, those students will have schoolwork to complete, but that work will be self-directed.
—Cameron Knight, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2023
The video, which Swift wrote and self-directed, features a two-minute comedy sketch about her own funeral.
—Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2023
Most mutual fund companies and brokers say their IRAs are self-directed.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2023
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
The group is entirely self-directed, and participants are encouraged to bring their own tools and materials.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
This could represent displacement or self-directed behaviors, and felines might use it as a social cue to elicit attention and interaction.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
People become more self-directed, propelling their own self-awareness and taking ownership of doing what’s right.
—Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
On Mondays, those students will have schoolwork to complete, but that work will be self-directed.
—Cameron Knight, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2023
The video, which Swift wrote and self-directed, features a two-minute comedy sketch about her own funeral.
—Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2023
Most mutual fund companies and brokers say their IRAs are self-directed.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-directed
Adjective
-
All of this self-indulgent whining, by the way, is going on while Pippa is supposed to be supporting Bree at her photography exhibit.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But there’s nothing slack, or lazy, or subjective, or self-indulgent, about the elaborate verse-craft of those bards.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite being part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, the energy reads independent and design-forward.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Briefs are for businesses in Northwest Arkansas that are new, have moved or closed, opened a new branch, changed owners or have been honored by an independent organization.—
Mark Mondier,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lots of the amenities, though (like the custom newspaper that tells you what to do in the area), are designed for self-sufficient guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
-
This is a bag with enough backcountry gear and lifesaving materials for the person to be self-sufficient if the mission stretches overnight.—
Jayme Moye,
Outside,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
One is inner-directed, determined to build self-esteem.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2023
Adjective
-
To be sure, some specific industries came under pressure Monday.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
While the government has some power to affect prices in specific sectors, policy changes can also impact wage growth, something the general population doesn’t typically consider, says Heidi Shierholz, president of the Economic Policy Institute, a non-partisan think tank.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Pitt definitely feels like the type of workplace where conceited doctors-in-training are pretty much guaranteed to quickly get knocked down a peg.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
-
But Grande’s conceited blonde bubblehead gains in stature here as Glinda assumes statesmanlike responsibility to spread goodness in Oz, while experiencing crushing romantic disappointment that humbles her and deflates her vanity.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The vainglorious demands of one man who can’t read a map? Concerned leaders in both parties should explain to the citizens of the United States how much peril Trump is courting.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The attention to amusing detail is evident throughout, from the vainglorious mayor’s ample display of chest fur to the very long wintry outfit Gary De’Snake wears in snowy conditions.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Conte’s prediction that the Premier League’s overall level would increase and that complacent clubs would plummet down the table has come to pass.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The old order is fraying not because Europe is weak or complacent or guilelessly reliant on diplomatic institutions, but because authoritarian powers are increasingly willing to work together to forcefully reshape the world order.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-directed. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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