self-fulfilling

adjective

self-ful·​fill·​ing ˌself-fu̇l-ˈfi-liŋ How to pronounce self-fulfilling (audio)
1
: becoming real or true by virtue of having been predicted or expected
a self-fulfilling prophecy
2
: marked by or achieving self-fulfillment

Examples of self-fulfilling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That same hesitancy could lead to a self-fulfilling doom loop. — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 4 May 2026 In the end, the race among Democrats became less a contest than a self-fulfilling prophecy. — Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026 Another worry is that a classic self-fulfilling therapeutic prophecy can arise. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2026 Robert Shiller, a Nobel economist, worries that that panic could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-fulfilling

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-fulfilling was in 1832

Rhymes for self-fulfilling

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Browse Nearby Words

self-fruitful
self-fulfilling
self-fulfillment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-fulfilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-fulfilling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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