as in independence
the ability to care for one's self
some people don't achieve self-reliance until they're over 30 years old
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-reliance
That type of self-reliance and rugged individualism — as different as everybody is, most Americans have some belief in that idea.
—
Charley Crockett, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
The danger is a cycle in which Beijing answers economic anxiety with industrial self-reliance and export pressure, while Washington answers worker anger with tariffs, investment screening, and market restriction.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026
After a decade of deepening rivalry, Beijing comes to this meeting with its own playbook, which includes a sweeping drive for economic self-reliance and a stronger toolkit to handle foreign sanctions on Chinese companies.
—Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
But the increasing list of restrictions on chip exports may only push China deeper in its drive for self-reliance.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Charley Crockett, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
The danger is a cycle in which Beijing answers economic anxiety with industrial self-reliance and export pressure, while Washington answers worker anger with tariffs, investment screening, and market restriction.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026
After a decade of deepening rivalry, Beijing comes to this meeting with its own playbook, which includes a sweeping drive for economic self-reliance and a stronger toolkit to handle foreign sanctions on Chinese companies.
—Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
But the increasing list of restrictions on chip exports may only push China deeper in its drive for self-reliance.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reliance
Noun
-
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
Long before the United States declared independence from King George III, generations of Savannahians were laid to rest at Colonial Park Cemetery, a burial ground that witnessed the colonial era, the Revolution, epidemics and the city’s early growth.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Black Moon Lilith in Sagittarius opposes the new moon in Gemini, propelling us to revolt against the status quo and insist on autonomy.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
10 June 2026
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The 230-foot Project Zero, currently nearing launch at Vitters shipyard in the Netherlands, will be powered entirely by renewable energy, enabling up to two weeks of autonomy at sea and a virtually unlimited range.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Ending free movement did not create a smooth transition to domestic labor self-sufficiency.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
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The supply of properties that check all these boxes — functional ranch infrastructure, winery entitlements, the land and water profile that makes genuine self-sufficiency possible — is finite in ways that new construction can’t solve.—
Lindsey Harn,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reliance. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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