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

This increased focus on Hong Kong comes as the Chinese government in Beijing is aiming for the country to achieve more "technology self-reliance".

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

These are positive steps in China’s push toward self-reliance: Beijing is working to shift from debt-fueled growth toward “higher quality” growth based on advanced technology and higher consumer spending.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

By focusing on magnets instead, one of the most widely used rare-earth products, India aims to achieve self-reliance more quickly.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

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 • Jan. 2, 2026

Dear Diary, Today I finally grasped the true meaning of self-reliance.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers

Related Words

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