soul-searching

noun

soul-search·​ing ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ How to pronounce soul-searching (audio)
: examination of one's conscience especially with regard to motives and values

Examples of soul-searching in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The inherent unfairness of the death penalty, whether because of race or its finality, has been debated for years, often with soul-searching arguments that go beyond politics. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024 The current moment is unlikely to provoke much soul-searching in the Kremlin. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024 The soul-searching starts and ends there, on an outlier of a song more concerned with the consequences of fame than the cause of those consequences. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 Beyond that are the unknowns, as well as soul-searching, pain and accusations. Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 Belly injections, hormonal shifts and a fair bit of soul-searching ensue. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024 Everyone was soul-searching and looking for answers on Wednesday. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 In the clip, the Golden Globe winner joins Ronson and fellow Barbie: The Album writer/producer Andrew Wyatt in the studio, along with a slew of musicians, to lay down a new version of Ken’s soul-searching anthem. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 20 Dec. 2023 Her cancer diagnosis and subsequent death kicks off what little plot there is in Sabbath’s Theater, sending Mickey on a soul-searching quest through his relationships, past and present. Vulture, 2 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'soul-searching.' 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

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of soul-searching was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near soul-searching

Cite this Entry

“Soul-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soul-searching. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

soul-searching

noun
soul-search·​ing
ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ
: examination of one's conscience and especially one's reasons and values
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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