self-perpetuating
Americanadjective
-
continuing oneself in office, rank, etc., beyond the normal limit.
-
capable of indefinite continuation.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of self-perpetuating
First recorded in 1815–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
UC is not Harvard, and was never meant to embody that type of self-perpetuating exclusivity disguised as a meritocracy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
And male monopolies on power tend to be self-perpetuating: Only when a critical mass of women run and win does it begin to feel possible that women can run for office and win.
From Slate ● Nov. 22, 2025
According to Dr. Thierry, it may be that persistent overproduction of NETs, fueled by self-perpetuating inflammatory and thrombotic loops, exacerbates disease severity.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2025
Reynolds is an experienced recruiter who knows unemployment can be a self-perpetuating cycle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2025
So will those who favor the modern trend to built-in obsolescence, for chemical control is self-perpetuating, needing frequent and costly repetition.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
