as in independent
able to take care of oneself or itself without outside help
each new colony was expected to develop a self-sustained economy
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-sustained
The 24-hectare base is a large and self-sustained compound, according to 2023 U.S. military documents detailing the facilities.
—
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 23 June 2025
Completely self-sustained, the brothers, Lotia writes in her book, are not just potters, but make a living as farmers as well.
—Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 23 June 2025
Completely self-sustained, the brothers, Lotia writes in her book, are not just potters, but make a living as farmers as well.
—Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-sustained
independent
Adjective
-
Charter schools are overseen by independent boards, overwhelmingly, like nonprofit boards of directors that manage the oversight and then follow all or most of the same government rules related to public schools.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Employers increasingly wonder whether campuses are cultivating independent thinkers or just cautious followers.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-sustained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-sustained. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share