as in self-actualization
the feeling of being happy and satisfied because you are doing something that fully uses your abilities and talents
She found self-fulfillment by starting her own business.
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Recent Examples of self-fulfillment
But this is a Norman Lear comedy after all (his last before passing in late 2023) — so by the end of the first episode, the hilarious sitcom has revealed its true interest in acceptance, forgiveness, and self-fulfillment.
—
Michael Cuby, Them., 17 Nov. 2025
And increasingly, women are choosing solitude and self-fulfillment over unsatisfying relationships.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Founders have a wide range of personal reasons for making the pivot, from seeking self-fulfillment to meeting a strategic need in their next chapter.
—Nina Ajemian, Fortune, 24 July 2025
Turner-Seed’s own writing lays bare a struggle for self-fulfillment, to reconcile the traditional values pushed by her Jewish immigrant parents with a restless need to discover and make her own way.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
The film explores the dilemma of choosing between self-fulfillment and familial obligations, showing how Joyce learns to embrace her mother’s modern family business and reflecting on the challenges of a globalized generation.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Maslow's model highlights the importance of psychological and self-fulfillment needs.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
These cultures tend to view divorce as a justifiable and often necessary step toward self-fulfillment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
This is Mascaro’s most humane film to date, which isn’t to say that August Winds and Neon Bull weren’t also grounded in the individual’s struggle for self-fulfillment outside the strictures of bourgeois circumscribed society.
—Jay D. Weissberg, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Michael Cuby, Them., 17 Nov. 2025
And increasingly, women are choosing solitude and self-fulfillment over unsatisfying relationships.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Founders have a wide range of personal reasons for making the pivot, from seeking self-fulfillment to meeting a strategic need in their next chapter.
—Nina Ajemian, Fortune, 24 July 2025
Turner-Seed’s own writing lays bare a struggle for self-fulfillment, to reconcile the traditional values pushed by her Jewish immigrant parents with a restless need to discover and make her own way.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
The film explores the dilemma of choosing between self-fulfillment and familial obligations, showing how Joyce learns to embrace her mother’s modern family business and reflecting on the challenges of a globalized generation.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Maslow's model highlights the importance of psychological and self-fulfillment needs.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
These cultures tend to view divorce as a justifiable and often necessary step toward self-fulfillment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
This is Mascaro’s most humane film to date, which isn’t to say that August Winds and Neon Bull weren’t also grounded in the individual’s struggle for self-fulfillment outside the strictures of bourgeois circumscribed society.
—Jay D. Weissberg, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-fulfillment
- self-actualization
- self-realization
- self-discovery
- self-exploration
- meditation
- introspection
- self-reflection
- self-examination
Noun
-
These stories reveal how movement, both literal and metaphorical, can propel the ongoing work of self-actualization.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Stephanie Ahn 1 hour 59 minutes Bedford Park, Stephanie Ahn’s poignant directorial debut, follows Audrey on her path toward something like self-actualization, sparked by a chance encounter with a similarly lonely soul.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Leaving, at the time, was seen as a temporary sacrifice, something connected to work and supporting a family, not to self-realization.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Taking the main character’s famous journey of self-realization every night.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The film casts their lives as a testament to the power of science and paints discovery as the ultimate act of self-discovery.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Building on themes of self-discovery, Myat said her runway will feature models walking around, with one encased in a box made from sugar glass.—
Violet Goldstone,
Footwear News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That sets Charli off on a bit of self-exploration and a reunion with her childhood friend Nel (Lena Góra).—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Its red rock buttes are said to house mysterious cosmic forces conducive to healing and self-exploration.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are several miles of hiking trails with a secret meditation labyrinth at the end of one trail, tennis courts, and one of the three pools is a dedicated family pool.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The session blends gentle Vinyasa flow to awaken and soften the body with grounding meditation to quiet the mind, release tension, and restore balance.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As the 2025 season neared its end and Verlander’s San Francisco Giants fell from competition, the future Hall of Fame pitcher confronted increasingly common moments of introspection.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But new research suggests that endorphins aren’t to thank for bliss, euphoria, and introspection.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its release coincides with the start of the Christian season of Lent, a period of repentance, self-reflection and resistance to temptation.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The holiday marks the start of Lent, which is the 40-day period of fasting, prayer and self-reflection leading up to Easter.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In an era where analytics and ever-growing coaching staffs allow teams to self-scout every week, the Patriots seem to have taken a more traditional approach and decided on a makeover after a self-examination last month during their bye.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Some time spent in self-examination could yield new insights.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-fulfillment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-fulfillment. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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