self-sustaining

[self-suh-stey-ning, self-] / ˈsɛlf səˈsteɪ nɪŋ, ˌsɛlf- /

ADJECTIVE

closed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

restricted

WEAK

self-centered self-contained self-sufficient self-sufficing self-supported self-supporting self-sustained

Antonyms

WEAK

beginning continuing in business open running started starting unsettled welcoming working

ADJECTIVE

profitable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

beneficial commercial cost-effective effective fruitful good lucrative practical productive rewarding successful useful valuable worthwhile

WEAK

assisting conducive contributive effectual favorable gainful going in the black instrumental paid off paying paying well pragmatic remunerative serviceable sustaining sweet well-paying

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fruitless impotent incapable unfruitful unhelpful unproductive unprofitable unskilled useless valueless worthless

WEAK

disadvantageous

ADJECTIVE

self-reliant

Synonyms

STRONGEST

autonomous self-sufficient self-supporting

WEAK

on one's own self-contained self-governing unaided unallied

ADJECTIVE

self-sufficient

Synonyms

STRONGEST

competent confident efficient self-supporting

WEAK

arrogant closed conceited doing one's own thing egotistic haughty independent individual on one's own out for number one self-confident self-dependent self-sufficing self-supported self-sustained smug unit

Antonyms

STRONGEST

incompetent inefficient unable

WEAK

incapable needy

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.

Astronauts will also need new life-sustaining systems, such as oxygen and water recyclers.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

Also called an advance directive, a living will sets forth your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation or tube feeding, if you are unable to make decisions on your own.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

In reality, patients who unknowingly enrolled in hospice discovered they couldn’t get any curative care, meaning access to certain medications and life-sustaining treatments like dialysis was immediately cut off.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

He was moved to a nursing home, where physicians initially urged the deescalation of life-sustaining care due to his negative prognosis and poor quality of life.

From Slate • Dec. 8, 2025

His breathing slowly settled into a steady, life-sustaining rhythm.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

self-sustaining

Example Sentences

Related Words