as in self-actualization
the feeling of being happy and satisfied because you are doing something that fully uses your abilities and talents
She found self-fulfillment by starting her own business.
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Recent Examples of self-fulfillment
Founders have a wide range of personal reasons for making the pivot, from seeking self-fulfillment to meeting a strategic need in their next chapter.
—
Nina Ajemian, Fortune, 24 July 2025
Turner-Seed’s own writing lays bare a struggle for self-fulfillment, to reconcile the traditional values pushed by her Jewish immigrant parents with a restless need to discover and make her own way.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
The film explores the dilemma of choosing between self-fulfillment and familial obligations, showing how Joyce learns to embrace her mother’s modern family business and reflecting on the challenges of a globalized generation.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Maslow's model highlights the importance of psychological and self-fulfillment needs.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
These cultures tend to view divorce as a justifiable and often necessary step toward self-fulfillment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
This is Mascaro’s most humane film to date, which isn’t to say that August Winds and Neon Bull weren’t also grounded in the individual’s struggle for self-fulfillment outside the strictures of bourgeois circumscribed society.
—Jay D. Weissberg, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Thus, Mill’s central political concern was not how to create order out of chaos but how to ensure that the beneficiaries of order could achieve self-fulfillment.
—John Micklethwait, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2014
Nina Ajemian, Fortune, 24 July 2025
Turner-Seed’s own writing lays bare a struggle for self-fulfillment, to reconcile the traditional values pushed by her Jewish immigrant parents with a restless need to discover and make her own way.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
The film explores the dilemma of choosing between self-fulfillment and familial obligations, showing how Joyce learns to embrace her mother’s modern family business and reflecting on the challenges of a globalized generation.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Maslow's model highlights the importance of psychological and self-fulfillment needs.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
These cultures tend to view divorce as a justifiable and often necessary step toward self-fulfillment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
This is Mascaro’s most humane film to date, which isn’t to say that August Winds and Neon Bull weren’t also grounded in the individual’s struggle for self-fulfillment outside the strictures of bourgeois circumscribed society.
—Jay D. Weissberg, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Thus, Mill’s central political concern was not how to create order out of chaos but how to ensure that the beneficiaries of order could achieve self-fulfillment.
—John Micklethwait, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2014
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-fulfillment
- self-realization
- self-discovery
- self-exploration
- meditation
- introspection
- self-reflection
- self-examination
Noun
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The prosecutor challenged a defense claim that Torres ended the abuse in an act of self-realization.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
29 Aug. 2025
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Per Britannica, Jung's psychoanalytic method focuses on integrating conscious and unconscious aspects of the psyche to achieve personal growth and self-realization.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Ashton also dismisses the concerns that a three-year degree lacks the many electives and opportunities for self-discovery.—
Bryan Penprase,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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The entire Ratliff family faces individual challenges and journeys of self-discovery throughout the season that culminate in a wild finale.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This year has been a bit of self-exploration.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
-
The grotto set the stage for the rest of my visit: quiet spirituality, relaxation, and self-exploration.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
Travel + Leisure,
26 July 2025
Noun
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The short film, commissioned and distributed by WePresent, won the Academy Award for best live action short film in 2022 and served as a meditation on belonging and rising intolerance.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
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Yoga, Zumba, aqua conditioning, meditation, group fitness classes, and personal training sessions are also available.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Barker shows him no mercy for his actions, but leaves the door open to darker introspection.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
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Full of big, shouty drill sergeants, lovable characters and deep introspection, the series is earnest and refreshing.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As school systems recalibrate how young people relate to their devices, forward-thinking business leaders can mirror this shift by creating environments where deep thinking, self-reflection and regulation, and authentic collaboration are once again the norm.—
Elan Gepner-Dales,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
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First, use assessments like CliftonStrengths or self-reflection to uncover your unique talents.—
Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mother’s turbulent self-examination is incited by the revelation of Sister Agnieszka’s pregnancy in the film’s first Act.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
27 Aug. 2025
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This disciplined self-examination is the foundation for refining skills and advancing toward mastery.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-fulfillment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-fulfillment. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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