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
-
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Since then, al-Sharaa, a former leader of al-Qaida’s branch in Syria, has improved relations with Western countries and last year became the first Syrian head of state to visit Washington since Syria’s independence in 1946.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, this private autonomy technically leaves SpaceX’s services available to the highest bidder — which one day could include clients whose objectives conflict with America’s own.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Apr. 2026
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Less than a year after the end of Hulu’s Emmy-winning adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale, Canadian author Margaret Atwood’s sequel novel, The Testaments, has been reimagined into another eerily timely TV series — this time centered around young women fighting for their own autonomy.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
8 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 13 Apr. 2026.
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