as in independence
the ability to care for one's self
self-sufficiency is a goal that all teenagers should work towards
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Recent Examples of self-sufficiency
Michigan game men have demonstrated this self-sufficiency of cubs by placing them on islands by themselves.
—
Carl T. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2025
With Mercury retrograde in your sign starting on the 15th, old fears around your self-sufficiency might be resurfacing.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Why This Is Particularly Important For Women Leaders A 1991 study by psychologist Judith Jordan and her colleagues explored the idea that women’s psychological development isn’t primarily driven by independence and self-sufficiency (as it is considered to be for men), but by connection.
—Nicole Lipkin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Today, this 42-year-old is 54 pounds lighter, with a diet of more produce and natural foods from the environment, settled into a move back to her hometown and embarked on a new business focused on recovery through self-sufficiency.
—Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-sufficiency
Carl T. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2025
With Mercury retrograde in your sign starting on the 15th, old fears around your self-sufficiency might be resurfacing.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Why This Is Particularly Important For Women Leaders A 1991 study by psychologist Judith Jordan and her colleagues explored the idea that women’s psychological development isn’t primarily driven by independence and self-sufficiency (as it is considered to be for men), but by connection.
—Nicole Lipkin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Today, this 42-year-old is 54 pounds lighter, with a diet of more produce and natural foods from the environment, settled into a move back to her hometown and embarked on a new business focused on recovery through self-sufficiency.
—Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-sufficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-sufficiency
Noun
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Still, activists among these communities frequently accuse the government of oppression, while others have taken up arms in the name of greater autonomy or even independence.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
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This funding will help provide the tools and resources these new young adults need to obtain temporary housing, bridging the gap between foster care and independence.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Instead, managers should empower teams with clear goals, autonomy and accountability.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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Even so, ever since Trump took office for a second time and started to consolidate his control over the entire federal government—including supposedly independent agencies—the autonomy of the Fed has again been called into question.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
President Xi Jinping has called for greater self-reliance in the face of increasing external uncertainty.—
Peter Catterall,
Fortune,
16 July 2025
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These times will teach you resilience, self-reliance and the ability to appreciate that change brings opportunities.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-sufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-sufficiency. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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