as in independence
the ability to care for one's self
hopes to achieve full self-support within a year of graduating from college
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Recent Examples of self-support
Garmire has been setting FKTs for more than a decade, with career highlights including unsupported or self-supported records on the John Muir Trail in California, Vermont’s Long Trail, the Colorado Trail, the Wonderland Trail in Washington, and the Arizona Trail.
—
Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
In one show of self-support, the supplies store that many of the RAD’s artists used — Cheap Joe’s — has been taken over, renamed and reopened by a new couple, Philip and Tina DeAngelo, who already owned a studio in the RAD.
—Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
And for the public, keep it to low-risk self-support — journaling prompts, CBT-style reflections and light coaching — wrapped in clear disclaimers and with instant handoffs to a human whenever risk appears.
—John Samuels, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
But the idea of hiking the PCT self-supported has been percolating for about five years.
—Emily Lapointe, Outside Online, 1 May 2025
Dreyer intended to swim self-supported about 83 miles across Lake Michigan, an ultra-endurance feat expected to take at least 72 hours.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 5 Sep. 2024
Since the self-support era, Tokyo has introduced at least one new plan a decade to improve rural development.
—Fritz Schumann, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2015
Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
In one show of self-support, the supplies store that many of the RAD’s artists used — Cheap Joe’s — has been taken over, renamed and reopened by a new couple, Philip and Tina DeAngelo, who already owned a studio in the RAD.
—Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
And for the public, keep it to low-risk self-support — journaling prompts, CBT-style reflections and light coaching — wrapped in clear disclaimers and with instant handoffs to a human whenever risk appears.
—John Samuels, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
But the idea of hiking the PCT self-supported has been percolating for about five years.
—Emily Lapointe, Outside Online, 1 May 2025
Dreyer intended to swim self-supported about 83 miles across Lake Michigan, an ultra-endurance feat expected to take at least 72 hours.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 5 Sep. 2024
Since the self-support era, Tokyo has introduced at least one new plan a decade to improve rural development.
—Fritz Schumann, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-support
Noun
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The project, the National Garden of American Heroes, is slated to feature 250 statues of historical figures from America’s past who have contributed to the nation's cultural, scientific, economic, and political heritage, commemorating the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Lewis George, who has pledged to protect the city's autonomy, stood that ground at her post-election event where pop music blared and a crowd danced with the candidate on stage.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
Lastly, is maintaining autonomy.—
Aidan Gomez,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Noun
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The myth of self-sufficiency fosters micromanagement, while the toxic invisibility of solo success drives relentless overwork.—
Luciana Paulise,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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The surge in popularity is driven for a desire for self-sufficiency, supplemental income, and access to fresh food, according to the home garden magazine.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-support.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-support. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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