as in independent
able to take care of oneself or itself without outside help
a surprisingly calm and self-reliant child
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Recent Examples of self-reliant
Strong sense of self Great leaders are self-reliant, selfless, have a realistic view of the present and a comfortable relationship with it.
—
Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Uniqlo has been supporting the UNHCR for nearly 20 years in a variety of capacities: through emergency relief, by donating clothing, supporting refugees to become self-reliant, and by providing employment opportunities within Fast Retailing to refugees.
—Kelly Wetherille, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
The Founding Fathers believed that broad ownership of private property, especially land, was essential to sustaining a self-reliant citizenry.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
The swaggering Astrid was always the film’s most self-reliant character, and in Parker’s hands, the romance between her and Hiccup takes on Clark Kent-Lois Lane vibes, especially when the two hit the skies.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-reliant
Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Uniqlo has been supporting the UNHCR for nearly 20 years in a variety of capacities: through emergency relief, by donating clothing, supporting refugees to become self-reliant, and by providing employment opportunities within Fast Retailing to refugees.
—Kelly Wetherille, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
The Founding Fathers believed that broad ownership of private property, especially land, was essential to sustaining a self-reliant citizenry.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
The swaggering Astrid was always the film’s most self-reliant character, and in Parker’s hands, the romance between her and Hiccup takes on Clark Kent-Lois Lane vibes, especially when the two hit the skies.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-reliant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reliant
independent
Adjective
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President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 37%, according to a new Gallup poll, the lowest mark of his second term as independent voters have increasingly soured on his presidency.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
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On July 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed controversial legislation that would de facto place the country’s independent anti-corruption bodies under government control.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-reliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reliant. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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