SELF-SUFFICIENCY Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

self-sufficiency

noun

ˌself-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē

Definition of self-sufficiency

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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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-sufficiency Struggle for self-sufficiency The devastating outbreak reshaped China’s blood products industry, prompting sweeping regulations throughout the entire chain from plasma collection to clinical use. — Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026 Azerbaijan has one of the highest energy self-sufficiency rates in the world. — Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Even sequels and prequels — say, those in the Star Wars canon — ideally aspire to a degree of self-sufficiency in which the audience can discern the story and, properly bewitched, can proceed to seek out the other movies. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026 Bürstner completes the electrical system with a 2,000-W inverter, and buyers can further improve upon the system's off-grid self-sufficiency by upgrading the battery to 540 Ah. — New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-sufficiency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-sufficiency

Noun

Cyprus was split along ethnic lines in 1974, and Turkish Cypriots declared independence in 1983.

— Andrew Wilks, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Lewis admitted that the experience has impacted not only her independence but her confidence as well.

— Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of independence

Noun

Bareilles is mourning a few things — the deaths of close friends, dreams of easy fertility, assumptions of female autonomy, the American dream — but the music soars, more often than not.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of autonomy

Noun

Their source was the collective enthusiasm of a population that had gone into revolution—a revolution forming committees of social self-reliance in every field.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The music superstar grew up steeped in the ethic of self-reliance.

— George F. Will, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of self-reliance

Browse Nearby Words

self-subsisting

self-sufficiency

self-sufficient

See all Nearby Words

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“Self-sufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-sufficiency. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of self-sufficiency

noun

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