Definition of self-supportnext
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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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-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 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
  • Scotland's John Swinney and Northern Ireland's Michelle O'Neill called for independence referendums in their countries, while Rhun ap Iorwerth did not provide a timetable for one in Wales.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Several Central American nations including El Salvador and Guatemala also celebrate their independence in September.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The incidents have raised questions about the safeguards needed as AI agents gain greater autonomy and access to the internet and computer systems.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The North Carolina operation also connected autonomy with regional healthcare logistics.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • China’s chip self-sufficiency rate reached roughly 70% by production volume in June, compared with 38% in January 2010, according to Goldman.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Their goals are to improve the well being of children while promoting family unification, and to assist families to achieve economic and social self-sufficiency.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Self-support.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-support. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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