self-perpetuating

[self-per-pech-oo-ey-ting, self-]

adjective

1. continuing oneself in office, rank, etc., beyond the normal limit.

2. capable of indefinite continuation.

self-perpetuating

adjective

1. (of machine, emotion, idea, etc) continuing or prevailing without any external agency or intervention

Other Word Forms

• self-perpetuation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-perpetuating¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

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.

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According to Dr. Thierry, it may be that persistent overproduction of NETs, fueled by self-perpetuating inflammatory and thrombotic loops, exacerbates disease severity.

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“It’s a self-perpetuating cycle. To defeat JNIM, the junta needs large-scale ground operations and air support; yet both depend on a steady supply of fuel,” said the FPRI’s Parens.

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Reynolds is an experienced recruiter who knows unemployment can be a self-perpetuating cycle.

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He explained that our democracy is not self-perpetuating but is a “continuing enterprise and conversation” that depends on civic education.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• boundless 
• ceaseless 
• constant 
• continual 
• continuous 
• countless 
• eternal 
• incessant 
• infinite 
• interminable 
• limitless 
• monotonous 
• never-ending 
• perpetual 
• unbroken 
• unending 
• unfathomable 
• uninterrupted 
• unlimited 
• untold