introspective

adjective

in·​tro·​spec·​tive ˌin-trə-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce introspective (audio)
: characterized by examination of one's own thoughts and feelings : thoughtfully reflective : employing, marked by, or tending to introspection
As a student, he was very quiet and introspective.
… encouraging a balance between the fast, upbeat songs and a band's more introspective side.David T. Lindsay
There's an interesting literature that suggests that when people are sad, they tend to pay attention to themselves. They become withdrawn and introspective and very aware of their body and their mind and not very aware of the external world.Peter Salovey
introspectively adverb
This whole episode set me thinking introspectively, and led me gradually but imperatively to self-analysis—not of powers, but of motives. Bram Stoker
introspectiveness noun
Introversion is too often considered a sign of weakness when it should instead be an indication of strength, and associated with thoughtfulness, introspectiveness and independence. Jasmine Tatah

Examples of introspective in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The vinyl format, with its rich warmth and pristine clarity, seems destined to align seamlessly with the very essence of Xiao Xia, fully embodying its serene beauty and introspective tranquility. Billboard China, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 Don’t miss this World Premiere of Virginia Woolf’s iconic introspective novel reimagined for the stage as a musical with a sweeping neo-golden age score underpinned with a contemporary folk pop. David Catlin, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024 This thinking is critical not only for attaining gender equity but also for developing introspective, resilient leaders who are prepared to face the challenges of the modern world. Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The first are introspective judgments about your feelings: Are you attracted to the person? Georgi Gardiner, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2024 The musician took the stage solo with an acoustic guitar for the intimate, introspective number, which tells an ominous tale. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 The original show excelled at melding thrilling action with introspective moral dilemmas, and Cormier deftly handles some of the show’s more serious moments. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2024 And Kahan — a gifted songwriter whose introspective folk songs contain a pop sensibility, so that his top 40-ready anthems still contain a sense of time and place — has served as the perfect emblem of that place. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2024 Read the full Pisces Daily Horoscope Aries (March 21 - April 19) Feeling introspective? USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'introspective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of introspective was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near introspective

Cite this Entry

“Introspective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/introspective. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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