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

a surprisingly calm and self-reliant child
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Carney rejected the notion that Canada should bow to U.S. pressure, vowing instead to forge new trade corridors and build a self-reliant economy. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025 Macron’s overriding message was that France and its European allies needed to become more self-reliant in terms of their military defense, across the chain of financing it, manufacturing arms and equipment and operations on the ground. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025 At the same time, Ukraine has become more self-reliant since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025 The cowboy is a longstanding symbol of North America, and is romanticized as a ‘real man,’ the strong silent type, lonesome, self-reliant and emotionally distant. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-reliant

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Self-reliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-reliant. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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