as in independent
able to take care of oneself or itself without outside help
with its own farm, the estate was largely self-sustaining
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Recent Examples of self-sustaining
The neighborhood was one of the most artistically flush, self-sustaining Black communities on the West Coast until a 1949 urban renewal plan kickstarted the displacement and neglect still going on today.
—
Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026
As previously reported, Silo is set in a self-sustaining underground city inhabited by a community whose recorded history dates back only 140 years.
—ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
Sartori surveys the lagoon weekly by boat for signs of nesting, which would indicate a self-sustaining Venetian colony.
—ABC News, 30 May 2026
When businesses are thriving, the neighborhood becomes self-sustaining.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Once that happens, adoption becomes self-sustaining.
—Rob Giglio, Fortune, 28 May 2026
Besides the Vostok spacecraft simulators and actual classrooms, Star City, also became its own self-sustaining community over the years with the addition of parks, schools, gym, church, post office, pharmacy, rehab facilities, and a movie theater.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 May 2026
Rock and roll was clearly not a phase, empty calories to consume until the time arrived for heartier fare, but rather something self-sustaining, a means to make a life.
—David L. Ulin, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Colorado voters in 2020 narrowly approved the reintroduction of the native species and mandated that CPW create a self-sustaining population.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026
As previously reported, Silo is set in a self-sustaining underground city inhabited by a community whose recorded history dates back only 140 years.
—ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
Sartori surveys the lagoon weekly by boat for signs of nesting, which would indicate a self-sustaining Venetian colony.
—ABC News, 30 May 2026
When businesses are thriving, the neighborhood becomes self-sustaining.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Once that happens, adoption becomes self-sustaining.
—Rob Giglio, Fortune, 28 May 2026
Besides the Vostok spacecraft simulators and actual classrooms, Star City, also became its own self-sustaining community over the years with the addition of parks, schools, gym, church, post office, pharmacy, rehab facilities, and a movie theater.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 May 2026
Rock and roll was clearly not a phase, empty calories to consume until the time arrived for heartier fare, but rather something self-sustaining, a means to make a life.
—David L. Ulin, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Colorado voters in 2020 narrowly approved the reintroduction of the native species and mandated that CPW create a self-sustaining population.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-sustaining
independent
Adjective
-
Panahi’s lawyer Mostafa Nili announced the decision by the court to reject the director’s appeal during a press briefing in Tehran on Sunday, according to independent film journalist Mansour Jahani and other sources.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
7 June 2026
-
Over his career, he was described as a blunt, independent, outspoken politician who was a maverick, boat-rocker, loose cannon, skilled partisan, and, above all, political survivor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-sustaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-sustaining. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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