self-reliance

American  

[self-ri-lahy-uhns, self-] / ˈsɛlf rɪˈlaɪ əns, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. reliance on oneself or one's own powers, resources, etc.

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self-reliance British  

noun

1. reliance on one's own abilities, decisions, etc

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“Self-Reliance” Cultural  

1. (1841) An essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson that advises the reader to “Trust thyself” and argues that “whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.” It is the source of several well-known epigrams, such as “To be great is to be misunderstood” and “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”

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Other Word Forms

• self-reliant adjective
• self-reliantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of self-reliance

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

While Beijing is unlikely to unleash stimulus, recent comments from officials suggest the government has grown more serious about prioritizing a revival in domestic demand alongside a continued push for technological self-reliance.

From Barron's

China’s advances in artificial intelligence, its continued push for technological self-reliance and resilience in global trade have helped boost investor confidence, easing concerns over weak domestic demand and persistent deflation.

From The Wall Street Journal

The pursuit of self-reliance through state spending has deep roots in China.

From The Wall Street Journal

“They strive for self-reliance because they know that mines open and close and government programs end,” he added.

From The Wall Street Journal

Still, policymakers in recommendations for the country’s next five-year plan continued to identify high-end technology, advanced manufacturing and industrial self-reliance as top priorities for China’s economy through the rest of the decade.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• autonomy
• self-determination
• self-government
• self-rule
• self-sufficiency
• sovereignty