self-reliance

noun

self-re·​li·​ance ˌself-ri-ˈlī-ənts How to pronounce self-reliance (audio)
: reliance on one's own efforts and abilities

Examples of self-reliance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The irony is that China’s current export boom comes as both Beijing and Washington are promoting greater self-reliance. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 The emphasis on self-reliance in science and technology comes after the United States tightened control over the export of cutting-edge technologies to China, especially in the field of AI, which Washington said could be used to strengthen the Chinese military. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Now the official messaging has shifted dramatically, highlighting the importance of self-reliance and family support. Isabelle Qian, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Though This Could Be Us is a woman's story about survival, self-reliance, self discovery (fueled in part by her reading of bell hooks' All About Love), and romantic love, Ryan does an excellent job drawing Soledad's undeniable yet highly inconvenient new love interest. Carole V. Bell, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 India, which is the world’s third largest military spender after the U.S. and China, has been trying to boost its self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 The perception of reservation-wide contamination had made people at Akwesasne afraid to grow crops, an activity that was vital for their self-reliance. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 In the face of wavering Western support, the Ukrainians emphasized their self-reliance and innovation. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 Policymakers may now speak of de-risking rather than de-linkage, but the goal is unchanged—self-reliance within the global value chain (GVC). Ken Heydon, Fortune Asia, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-reliance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-reliance was in 1668

Dictionary Entries Near self-reliance

Cite this Entry

“Self-reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-reliance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-reliance

noun
self-re·​li·​ance
ˌsel-fri-ˈlī-ənts
: trust in one's own efforts and abilities
self-reliant
-ənt
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on self-reliance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!