as in independent
able to take care of oneself or itself without outside help
the college student worked nights so that he would be self-sufficient
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-sufficient
The story of King Henry reveals a proud, determined, and self-sufficient country whose culture was admired around the world, but one at the same time whose freedom many nations sought to strangle.
—
Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
His grandmother taught him early to be self-sufficient, to always know how to feed himself.
—Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2025
The original 10-year agreement was set to expire by the end of 2025, when the center was meant to be self-sufficient, according to a report from the county's Department of Administrative Services.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
That includes focusing on core lifesaving programs, doubling down on innovations that can eradicate and cure diseases, not just manage them, and laying a pathway out of our outdated, donor-recipient model of global aid toward a sustainable model where countries are self-sufficient.
—Bill Gates, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-sufficient
Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
His grandmother taught him early to be self-sufficient, to always know how to feed himself.
—Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2025
The original 10-year agreement was set to expire by the end of 2025, when the center was meant to be self-sufficient, according to a report from the county's Department of Administrative Services.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
That includes focusing on core lifesaving programs, doubling down on innovations that can eradicate and cure diseases, not just manage them, and laying a pathway out of our outdated, donor-recipient model of global aid toward a sustainable model where countries are self-sufficient.
—Bill Gates, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-sufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-sufficient
independent
Adjective
-
There aren’t many tours available, so an excursion to the castle is most likely going to be an independent adventure.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
-
However, as China ruthlessly pursues independent innovation, domestic substitution of imports has become a policy priority to ensure tech self-sufficiency in critical industries.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-sufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-sufficient. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share