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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Recent Examples of self-reliance
Beijing’s decision to double down on self-reliance underscores the urgency of weaning itself off Western technology.
—
John Liu, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Push for self-reliance Despite the growth in sales volumes across several automakers, China’s EV market is still grappling with slowing demand, at least partially due to the imposition of a 5% purchase tax on new energy vehicles, after previously being exempted from the full 10% tax.
—Matthew Chin,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
China cut its growth target, closing a decades-long chapter of breakneck expansion, but maintained a focus on high-tech advancement, defense modernization, and economic self-reliance.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Coping mechanisms Participants described self-reliance as essential to coping with incarceration and life after release.
—Helena Addison, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
John Liu, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Push for self-reliance Despite the growth in sales volumes across several automakers, China’s EV market is still grappling with slowing demand, at least partially due to the imposition of a 5% purchase tax on new energy vehicles, after previously being exempted from the full 10% tax.
—Matthew Chin,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
China cut its growth target, closing a decades-long chapter of breakneck expansion, but maintained a focus on high-tech advancement, defense modernization, and economic self-reliance.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Coping mechanisms Participants described self-reliance as essential to coping with incarceration and life after release.
—Helena Addison, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reliance
Noun
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The integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
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No company embodies the American ideas of freedom, independence, perseverance and individuality more than Harley-Davidson.—
Ricardo Torres,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Beiruty follows Andrea across seven years, threading stop-motion animation through a sustained dialogue with her subject about autonomy, compromise and self-determination.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
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The report arrives as Yale and its Ivy League peers are under pressure from multiple directions — not just a skeptical public, but a federal government that has used funding as a direct lever against campus autonomy.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To protect itself from the impact of the war, Africa must focus on integration and continental self-sufficiency, even as the rest of the world fragments, a major regional study said.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
8 Apr. 2026
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These are among some of the largest models out there and underscore how China’s biggest tech players are advancing their own AI semiconductor technology as Beijing intensifies its push for self-sufficiency.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reliance. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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