self-sufficiency

noun

ˌself-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē How to pronounce self-sufficiency (audio)
Definition of self-sufficiencynext
as in independence
the ability to care for one's self self-sufficiency is a goal that all teenagers should work towards

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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-sufficiency That gap highlights why China’s semiconductor self-sufficiency drive involves more than producing domestic chips. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026 Its scripture-heavy programs stress sobriety and transition to self-sufficiency. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 Bürstner completes the electrical system with a 2,000-W inverter, and buyers can further improve upon the system's off-grid self-sufficiency by upgrading the battery to 540 Ah. — New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026 For corn, rice, and wheat, China has achieved near self-sufficiency. — Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-sufficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-sufficiency
  1. independence
  2. autonomy
  3. self-reliance
Noun
  • The program uses culinary education to build confidence, independence, creativity and life skills while introducing students to potential careers in the culinary arts.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Reiterating its 2019 call for Kavala’s release, the court declared his life-without-parole conviction null and void and found multiple violations of fundamental rights and judicial independence guarantees.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of independence
Noun
  • Explore the distinctive voices who use the Power of No to create focus, quality, autonomy and build a life of remarkable success.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Surfacing bridging content that spans political lines while speaking to what the user values could be a promising direction for fostering both user autonomy and constructive conversation.
    — Farnaz Jahanbakhsh, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of autonomy
Noun
  • The music superstar grew up steeped in the ethic of self-reliance.
    — George F. Will, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Traditional ideas about masculinity continue to prize self-reliance, emotional control, and endurance.
    — Rachel Docekal, STAT, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of self-reliance

Browse Nearby Words

self-subsisting
self-sufficiency
self-sufficient
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-sufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-sufficiency. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of kith

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All