self-reliant

adjective

self-re·​li·​ant ˌself-ri-ˈlī-ənt How to pronounce self-reliant (audio)
: having confidence in and exercising one's own powers or judgment

Examples of self-reliant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Faury told The Guardian that Europe needed to become more self-reliant for its military infrastructure, after decades of relying on U.S. makers like Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 11 Mar. 2024 The surge in spending shows how interconnected China and the United States remain, despite vigorous efforts by each country to be more self-reliant. Mike Isaac, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 The Adani Group is reacting to India’s ambition to become more self-reliant in defence manufacturing and export more arms. Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Just as pandemic worries pushed homebuyers out of cities and into bigger homes in the suburbs, wealthier buyers turned to ranch properties for more space, privacy, and opportunities to become more self-reliant. Sara B. Hansen, The Denver Post, 2 Feb. 2024 Her father taught her that cash was king and a woman should always be financially self-reliant. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 Leave No Trace is the story of a father (Ben Foster) and daughter (Thomasin McKenzie) whose self-reliant, off-the-grid life is interrupted by social services. Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 26 Jan. 2024 Tax incentives and renewable energy standards are some of the ways to encourage green innovation, which can make California and the United States self-reliant in energy. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2024 Trump’s rhetoric during his first term caused EU and NATO officials to speak more seriously about the need for Europe to become more self-reliant in defense and security. Luke McGee, CNN, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-reliant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-reliant was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near self-reliant

Cite this Entry

“Self-reliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-reliant. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!