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
Living in such isolation has taught Wendy about self-reliance, but also about the unique warmth of the rural Mexican community.
—
Ashley Vega, People.com, 22 May 2025
Research reveals how traditional masculine norms—like emotional stoicism, self-reliance and achievement orientation—directly conflict with practices that enhance leadership effectiveness.
—Anna Barnhill, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
The Context Cats are touted by some as excellent pets due to their self-reliance, able to eat, hunt and use the bathroom on their own.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Putin has adopted autarkic self-reliance and other ideas that appear to draw on North Korea’s Juche ideology—the doctrine formulated by Kim Jong Il in 1982 that seeks to foreground national economic and military self-reliance.
—Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Ashley Vega, People.com, 22 May 2025
Research reveals how traditional masculine norms—like emotional stoicism, self-reliance and achievement orientation—directly conflict with practices that enhance leadership effectiveness.
—Anna Barnhill, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
The Context Cats are touted by some as excellent pets due to their self-reliance, able to eat, hunt and use the bathroom on their own.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Putin has adopted autarkic self-reliance and other ideas that appear to draw on North Korea’s Juche ideology—the doctrine formulated by Kim Jong Il in 1982 that seeks to foreground national economic and military self-reliance.
—Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reliance
Noun
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Stay connected: Don’t let independence turn into isolation.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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These treatments can help people maintain their independence longer and make the most of their lucid years.—
Jim Taylor,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
Noun
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The study's authors and outside experts point to the job-demand-control model—a theory that suggests autonomy (control over tasks and schedules) buffers against job stress and its physiological effects.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Transportation is key to independence, and when older adults lose the ability to drive that's often the beginning of the end of their autonomy, said Seth Sternberg, CEO and co-founder of Honor, an in-home care provider.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Men, especially older men, have been raised in an era of self-sufficiency, preventing them from seeking help.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
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Enhancing its self-sufficiency, Strum Island is planted with numerous fruits and veggies.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reliance. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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