self-reliance

[self-ri-lahy-uhns, self-]

noun

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

self-reliance

noun

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

“Self-Reliance”

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.”

Other Word Forms

• self-reliant adjective
• self-reliantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-reliance¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Until then, involution is the price to pay for Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s goal of industrial self-reliance and global leadership in advanced technologies.

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The move, widely discussed on Chinese social media, underscores Beijing’s ongoing push for tech self-reliance amid intensifying U.S.-China tech rivalry.

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The U.S. will likely accelerate its investment in the rare-earth supply chain and limit other dependence on China, while China continues to build self-reliance in key sectors.

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Ryan’s breed of masculinity—self-reliance and family values mixed with military service and a mistrust of institutions—has made him a conservative media star.

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The sudden surge in its popularity is being linked to the federal government's push for self-reliance as India deals with the impact of steep US trade tariffs on its goods.

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Related Words

• autonomy 
• self-determination 
• self-government 
• self-rule 
• self-sufficiency www.thesaurus.com
• sovereignty