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
Ugandans are taking steps toward self-reliance by producing drugs locally.
—
Brian Simpson, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Tongue-in-cheek humor aside, Stoke’s target consumer is proud to be an American, and is also a family man who values hard work and self-reliance.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Radical self-reliance is a key tenet of Burning Man.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Over the years Philippine counter-trafficking projects have found some ways to increase financial self-reliance, for instance by starting fair trade farming projects.
—Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Brian Simpson, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Tongue-in-cheek humor aside, Stoke’s target consumer is proud to be an American, and is also a family man who values hard work and self-reliance.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Radical self-reliance is a key tenet of Burning Man.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Over the years Philippine counter-trafficking projects have found some ways to increase financial self-reliance, for instance by starting fair trade farming projects.
—Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-reliance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reliance
Noun
-
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Traditional narratives obscure the role slavery might have played in Texas’ drive for independence and portray the Alamo’s defenders as freedom fighters.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Earlier this month, the robot performed a classical dance routine and learnt the art of picking up tennis balls, demonstrating its dexterity and autonomy.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Oct. 2025
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Robotics and autonomy were leaving laboratories for factories and highways.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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However, as China ruthlessly pursues independent innovation, domestic substitution of imports has become a policy priority to ensure tech self-sufficiency in critical industries.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Oct. 2025
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Mexico offers a relatively easy path to long-term residency for Americans who can prove financial self-sufficiency.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reliance. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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