introspective

adjective

in·​tro·​spec·​tive ˌin-trə-ˈspek-tiv 

: 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 They become withdrawn and introspective and very aware of their body and their mind and not very aware of the external world.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

Armed with cultural relevance, introspective lyricism and genre-defying artistry, this album further cemented his dominance not just in música urbana but in popular culture overall, elevating him to true household-name status. —Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026

As the introspective journey draws to a close, the filmmaker floats the idea of continuing the project into the future, even after his departure. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026

This was a weird season of TV, one that began in an introspective place but started seriously testing my patience somewhere around the midpoint, failing to follow through on the storylines Sheridan set up. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 18 Jan. 2026

Two days before his latest foray into the playoffs, Payton was particularly introspective after what could stand as the Broncos’ last practice of the year. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for introspective

• ineffective
• intellective
• irrespective
• nondirective
• nonselective
• retrospective
• unreflective
• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective