SELF-FULFILLMENT Synonyms: 32 Similar Words

self-fulfillment

noun

Definition of self-fulfillment

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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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-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 These cultures tend to view divorce as a justifiable and often necessary step toward self-fulfillment. — Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 For some, turning 60 is experienced as a time for greater clarity and self-awareness, a time to become more purpose driven, of self-fulfillment and resilience. — Helen Dennis, Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-fulfillment

Noun

That spirit was palpable in Demna’s debut show at Gucci, where self-concept and self-actualization seemed to come alive in a way that almost laughed at itself.

— Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The adaptation stars Ella Bruccoleri as the eponymous Mary, who goes on a voyage of self-actualization in London.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026

Definition of self-actualization

Noun

But Debbie will inevitably come into her own in that respect — this isn’t the first story in which the path to self-discovery runs through a field strewn with bodies.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Their friends support them through the challenges of young love, and many make their own self-discoveries about gender and sexuality along the way.

— Carrie Grant, The Conversation, 15 July 2026

Definition of self-discovery

Noun

Second, extended breaks from work—ideally more than two months, with four to six months as the ideal—are necessary to undergo a deeper journey of self-exploration.

— DJ Didonna, Time, 13 July 2026
Since there are very few existing sources of data like this, approaches like teleoperation, video analysis, motion capture of humans, and self-exploration in simulation and in the real world are all seen as important ways to collect data.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 20 May 2026

Definition of self-exploration

Noun

At his teacher’s direction, Pannakara traveled to Myanmar between 2018 and 2020 to study and practice Vipassana meditation, an ancient technique taught by the Buddha himself as core for attaining enlightenment.

— Deepa Bharath, Fortune, 17 July 2026
Buddhism assumes that meditation is learned from experienced teachers.

— Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

Definition of meditation

Noun

Answering these questions takes time, effort, and thorough self-reflection, and a standout project simply cannot be rushed.

— Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Parents don’t need to feel guilty if their teens aren’t constantly busy—unstructured time can foster self-reflection and relaxation.

— Melissa Willets, Parents, 16 July 2026

Definition of self-reflection

Noun

When creating the novel, Akil was inspired by the collective interest in self-examination and the interior self.

— Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
In fact, much of our technology is designed to distract us from, or worse, replace this loop of self-examination and improvement.

— Arianna Huffington, Time, 29 June 2026

Definition of self-examination

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self-forgetting

self-fulfillment

self-fulfillments

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“Self-fulfillment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-fulfillment. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of self-fulfillment

noun

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