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
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, China—the U.S.’s strategic counterweight—is expanding its influence through a different playbook: one that leans on empowering the private sector to drive innovation, scale, and long-term self-reliance.
—
Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Living in a small, remote place required a mix of self-reliance and solidarity.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2025
The dual plans reflect rising US-China tech tensions; US President Donald Trump’s deregulatory approach to American AI could push Beijing to double down on its quest for self-reliance and domestic alternatives to Western tech, the South China Morning Post reported.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 30 July 2025
The president’s position on the self-reliance of states rings hollow given the support his administration is providing to Texas.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Living in a small, remote place required a mix of self-reliance and solidarity.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2025
The dual plans reflect rising US-China tech tensions; US President Donald Trump’s deregulatory approach to American AI could push Beijing to double down on its quest for self-reliance and domestic alternatives to Western tech, the South China Morning Post reported.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 30 July 2025
The president’s position on the self-reliance of states rings hollow given the support his administration is providing to Texas.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reliance
Noun
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Powell has come under massive pressure from Trump this year, whose attacks over interest rates have raised the possibility that the era of Fed independence could be coming to an end.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The event will conclude with El Grito, the traditional Mexican call for independence, followed by a fireworks show.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The company’s vision: a system that lets drivers take Zoom calls while the vehicle does the driving—that is, once Level 3 vehicle autonomy is reached and cars can reliably drive themselves under certain conditions.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 Aug. 2025
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Venus will be making an opposition to Pluto retrograde in your sign, creating tension and friction between your personal autonomy and a lover’s desires.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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As external aid declines and donor priorities shift, self-sufficiency becomes both a strategic and financial imperative.—
Francisca Mutapi,
semafor.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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With Mercury retrograde in your sign starting on the 15th, old fears around your self-sufficiency might be resurfacing.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reliance. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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