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.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-fulfillment
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
Deserving Self-Fulfillment The final justification, cited by 13 participants, was that their affairs were a form of deserving self-fulfillment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
What lies do people tell themselves that inhibit their self-fulfillment?
—Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
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
Deserving Self-Fulfillment The final justification, cited by 13 participants, was that their affairs were a form of deserving self-fulfillment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
What lies do people tell themselves that inhibit their self-fulfillment?
—Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-fulfillment
- self-realization
- self-discovery
- self-exploration
- meditation
- introspection
- self-reflection
- self-examination
Noun
-
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
-
Even when characters get a moment of self-realization, Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah’s book, including sizeable chunks of the screenplay, replaces drama with platitudes or dialogue gags.—
David Benedict,
Variety,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
The road to self-discovery is bumpy, but worth it Smurfs does a great job of showing the confidence that comes when someone is comfortable in their own skin and with their unique gifts.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
18 July 2025
-
The 23-year-old singer-songwriter has released the deluxe edition of his sophomore album, Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up), featuring 11 new tracks that chronicle themes of grief, healing, young love and self-discovery.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
The survey also polled 992 parents of 16-to-24-year-olds, 16% of whom encouraged social media as a tool for career and self-exploration.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
19 July 2025
-
Middle schoolers can participate in self-exploration and career awareness activities to help inform their Education and Career Action Plans which are required for graduation.—
Jean Eddy,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Schrecker’s No Ivory Tower is a granular account of the effect that the Red Scare had on American universities, as well as a broader meditation on the nature and history of academic freedom.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
21 July 2025
-
Beyond supplements, complementary methods like meditation, yoga, and acupuncture have been shown to enhance sleep quality.—
Ayesha Gulzar,
Verywell Health,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Nara's more recent paintings, such as Midnight Tears (2023), feature tender, fragmented brushwork that radiates introspection.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
This reduction in sensory input can promote deep introspection and emotional clarity.—
Victoria Malloy,
Outside Online,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Taking time for self-reflection can help individuals envision a future life beyond their primary working years, transforming retirement from a distant, abstract destination into a familiar stop on life’s journey.—
Wes Moss,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Following the loss, Sabalenka tried to focus her remarks on self-reflection and moving forward.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Blight argues persuasively that Douglass’s eloquence transformed the speech into an enduring historical marker — a profound moment of national self-examination that reverberates across generations.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
4 July 2025
-
For me, Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter, is about periodic self-examination, reflection, and a deep look at life with intention and commitment to live forward with greater meaning.—
Walt Shelton,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-fulfillment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-fulfillment. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share