as in independence
the ability to care for one's self
self-sufficiency is a goal that all teenagers should work towards
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-sufficiency
Some biologists theorize that early human fetuses’ heads risked growing too large to pass through the pelvis; others believe that gestating brains required too much energy for a pregnant woman to sustain them through self-sufficiency.
—
Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
Who knew self-sufficiency could feel this good—and smell mostly okay.
—Kimberley Mok, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025
DeepSeek’s mention of China’s coming next-generation chips may signal plans to work more closely with China’s emerging AI chip ecosystem in the face of Washington’s advanced semiconductor export restrictions and Beijing’s push for chip self-sufficiency.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025
In addition, evolving trade policy has removed some traditional markets at the exact moment Brazil’s exports are strengthening and China is marching toward food self-sufficiency.
—Beth Ford, Time, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-sufficiency
Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
Who knew self-sufficiency could feel this good—and smell mostly okay.
—Kimberley Mok, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025
DeepSeek’s mention of China’s coming next-generation chips may signal plans to work more closely with China’s emerging AI chip ecosystem in the face of Washington’s advanced semiconductor export restrictions and Beijing’s push for chip self-sufficiency.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025
In addition, evolving trade policy has removed some traditional markets at the exact moment Brazil’s exports are strengthening and China is marching toward food self-sufficiency.
—Beth Ford, Time, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-sufficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-sufficiency
Noun
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The craft seller at a roadside market is earning her independence.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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The trial and prosecution of Bolsonaro became a test for the independence of Brazilian judiciary, which did not buckle under domestic or international political pressure.—
Adriana Carranca,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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To enable genuine team autonomy, start by defining clear roles and responsibilities to reduce founder dependency.—
Guy Peixoto,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Freelancers also enjoy project variety and autonomy.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The keeper also underlined the importance of self-reliance.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Our love for independence and self-reliance cannot help but be synchronous with loneliness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-sufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-sufficiency. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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