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

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-reliance Beijing will focus on domestic consumption, self-reliance in technology as well as the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025 The Navy said the new submarine was designed and built entirely using domestic technology, underscoring South Korea’s goal of achieving strategic self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025 The nonprofit has helped community members of all ages and abilities through programs that emphasize self-reliance, community and respect. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025 Ugandans are taking steps toward self-reliance by producing drugs locally. Brian Simpson, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reliance
Noun
  • As this brief survey suggests, the patriots’ success in drawing foreign partners into the war was essential to achieving American independence.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The forest for the trees Nestled between China, India and Thailand, Myanmar gained independence from Britain in 1948 but came under military dictatorship in 1962.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • While medically assisted suicide isn’t a mainstream cause of any one political party, conversations about potential legislation happen more in progressive circles and often in connection with arguments about bodily autonomy.
    Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Justice Anthony Kennedy’s original opinion, written in 2015, emphasized ideas about individual autonomy, safeguarding children and families, and maintaining the social order.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • That new self-sufficiency has required significant investments in AI chips for the team to train its models, though Suleyman declined to comment on the size of the team’s GPU stash.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • But these goals were listed only after the calls for industrial upgrading and tech self-sufficiency – suggesting old priorities still prevail.
    Shaoyu Yuan, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Self-reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reliance. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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