1
as in self-indulgent
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2
as in independent
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Recent Examples of self-directed
While other Coachella performers like Katseye and Lucky Brand collaborator Addison Rae have each carved out distinct aesthetic identities, festivalgoers are drawing less direct inspiration from performers’ styles, instead embracing a more individual and self-directed approach to dressing.
—
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2026
But what if building a meaningful and self-directed life in the community really was possible, if people were given the right support?
—Adrienne Lapidos, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
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
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2026
But what if building a meaningful and self-directed life in the community really was possible, if people were given the right support?
—Adrienne Lapidos, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-directed
Adjective
-
Not Trump, of all presidents, an amoral self-indulgent grifter by trade and liar by practice.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
-
On first listen, these first 45 seconds sound like self-indulgent throat clearing.—
Jackson Howard,
Pitchfork,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
My administration will establish clear policy that bans deputy gangs and gang-like behavior, protect whistleblowers, and create safe, independent channels to report misconduct.—
Opinion Staff,
Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Legislators should demand independent safety data, not industry assurances, before opening Chicago’s streets to widespread autonomous vehicle deployment.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The urgent need to rearm following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and an apparent fracturing of relations within NATO mean Europe must become more self-sufficient in its defense production.—
Sam Meredith,Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Resembling the size and shape of a semi truck’s fuel tanker, it was designed to use seawater to cool itself and be largely self-sufficient once anchored to the seabed.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
One is inner-directed, determined to build self-esteem.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2023
Adjective
-
The vlogger Jordan Cheyenne, for one, wrecked her sharenting career by accidentally posting footage of herself coaching her son, who was distraught over the family’s sick puppy, to make a specific kind of sad face for YouTube.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
-
With the latest round of supplemental additions (Joe Flacco, Kyle Duggar and Ja’Sir Taylor) signed, here’s my view of the Bengals’ spectrum of needs to wants at specific positions and the reason why.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Avoid Burying Praise in Negatives To avoid making children too conceited, parents might bury praise in the midst of negatives.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
She’s been warning us since 1818 that vainglorious innovators will destroy the earth.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
While many Americans have grown complacent about the federal surveillance state, the United States Constitution is clear.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
-
To some investors, markets remain complacent.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-directed. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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