Definitions

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.

“Michael” might be a self-evident, self-sustaining, self-indulgent piece of PR.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

Fire Administration, potentially leading to a process known as thermal runaway, in which the battery ignites through a self-sustaining chemical reaction that is impossible to stop until it runs out on its own.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

The FirstNet Authority is required by law to be self-sustaining.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

This is not our base case, but the self-sustaining nature of market dynamics makes it a risk worth considering.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 14, 2026

“When they come to rescue us, they will find us with clean, jungle-forward, fashionable huts and a self-sustaining ecosystem. We will be the Miss Teen Dreamers they write about in history books,” Taylor said.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

self-sustaining

Example Sentences

Related Words