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
Coping mechanisms Participants described self-reliance as essential to coping with incarceration and life after release.
—
Helena Addison, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026
The practice is designed to teach children responsibility, confidence, and self-reliance.
—Katrina Donham, Parents, 25 Feb. 2026
Others describe chances for self-reliance or self-reflection.
—Rainesford Stauffer, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
While some post-emancipation Black leaders backed social integration, author, orator and educator Washington, the first leader of the Tuskegee Institute, urged self-reliance.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Helena Addison, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026
The practice is designed to teach children responsibility, confidence, and self-reliance.
—Katrina Donham, Parents, 25 Feb. 2026
Others describe chances for self-reliance or self-reflection.
—Rainesford Stauffer, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
While some post-emancipation Black leaders backed social integration, author, orator and educator Washington, the first leader of the Tuskegee Institute, urged self-reliance.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reliance
Noun
-
When choosing where to stay, hostels and guesthouses with communal spaces are ideal for solo travelers who want a mix of independence and social connection.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Chavez and Dolores Huerta are as familiar to me as leaders of my own country who fought for independence from British colonial rule.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The prospect of autonomy remains a distant and fading dream.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Scale required sacrifice of autonomy.—
Kuo Zhang,
Fortune,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Since the revolution, the regime’s economic policy has focused on self-sufficiency while working to gain access to global markets.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
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Leaders see it as a community meant to provide an affordable, longterm place to live to help families reach self-sufficiency and stability.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reliance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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