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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-reliance
At the same time, financial pressures force you to be realistic, requiring clearer boundaries around spending, worth and self-reliance.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Although the continent still relies on the US for satellite support, advanced fighters, and long-range drones, The Wall Street Journal reported, the pivot toward defense self-reliance is well under way.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 28 Jan. 2026
However, there is also some advantage for resilience and self-reliance.
—Joshua Pearce, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Furthermore, achieving homegrown development of these high-energy ion implanters marks a major boost to China’s semiconductor self-reliance, reinforcing the country’s ability to produce critical components without depending on foreign technology.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Although the continent still relies on the US for satellite support, advanced fighters, and long-range drones, The Wall Street Journal reported, the pivot toward defense self-reliance is well under way.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 28 Jan. 2026
However, there is also some advantage for resilience and self-reliance.
—Joshua Pearce, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Furthermore, achieving homegrown development of these high-energy ion implanters marks a major boost to China’s semiconductor self-reliance, reinforcing the country’s ability to produce critical components without depending on foreign technology.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reliance
Noun
-
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
What is at issue is the relationship between artistic freedom and institutional independence.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike Chapek, who alienated Disney’s creative divisions by having the media chiefs report to his handpicked ally, Kareem Daniel, there’s a sense that D’Amaro will approach the task with more delicacy, giving Walden a level of autonomy.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
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His work set a precedent for autonomy and creative control as hip-hop became a commercial juggernaut in the ’90s.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a drive to move Germany toward economic self-sufficiency, Hitler had imposed draconian tariffs, refused to honor foreign-debt obligations, and sought to wean the nation off Norwegian whale-oil consumption.—
Timothy W. Ryback,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
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Here, China has a clear goal to boost self-sufficiency.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reliance. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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