Thesaurus results for SOUL-SEARCHING

soul-searching

noun

ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ

Definition of soul-searching

as in introspection

examination of one's own thoughts and feelings after much soul-searching, they both realized that their marriage was essentially over

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of soul-searching Sencer is thrilled at this milestone, four decades after that soul-searching moment at the hatchery with his daughter. — Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 While three games hardly make a season, there seems to be some soul-searching needed in Dallas. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026 Barnes met Imam in a moment of soul-searching. — Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026 But thankfully, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are spared any such soul-searching. — Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for soul-searching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soul-searching

Noun

Parts of the novel, especially those evoking Michel’s introspection, have a Jamesian density of psychological nuance.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
That’s why introspection and self-knowledge are at the core of every spiritual and philosophical tradition—the drive not just to know the world but to know ourselves, with each layer of self-knowledge unlocking a deeper one.

— Arianna Huffington, Time, 29 June 2026

Definition of introspection

Noun

When creating the novel, Akil was inspired by the collective interest in self-examination and the interior self.

— Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
In fact, much of our technology is designed to distract us from, or worse, replace this loop of self-examination and improvement.

— Arianna Huffington, Time, 29 June 2026

Definition of self-examination

Noun

Awareness activities encourage self-reflection and can include activities like a body scan, breathing exercises, or journaling.

— Parents, Parents, 4 July 2026
Andy Sachs exemplifies an adaptive optimist, challenging norms and fostering open environments through self-reflection and curiosity.

— Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of self-reflection

Noun

While there’s still some of the angst and self-searching of Girls, Too Much is classic odd-couple romcom.

— James Medd, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2025
But such athletic excess is part of what makes this album admirable, as is a sense of spiritual and intellectual hunger that’ll be quickly recognizable to anyone familiar with the Ziggy Stardust/Zen Arcade/Tommy school of self-searching rock epic.

— Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025

Definition of self-searching

Noun

This majestic sequence delivers a lifetime’s outpouring of love’s inadequacies and frustrations, of grief and regret, of gratitude along with candid acceptance of loss, and of self-questioning that never shakes the foundations of the family—her ferocious commitment to the children.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
After long periods of grief, reflection and painful self-questioning, most of the families interviewed by The Charlotte Observer no longer seem interested in reducing their children’s deaths to any one thing.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026

Definition of self-questioning

Noun

And the strategies our minds reach for in moments of doubt—retreat, control, relentless self-scrutiny—can work powerfully against us at the moments that matter most.

— Karyn Gallant, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
People committed to covenant cannot lose the capacity for moral self-scrutiny.

— Rabbi Josh Weinberg, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026

Definition of self-scrutiny

Noun

Trish and Dan Bell Chapel The Trish and Dan Bell Chapel will serve as a gathering place for worship, contemplation and spiritual strengthening at FIU.

— Florida International University, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Many crude laughs were bolstered by the attached contemplation.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 June 2026

Definition of contemplation

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souls

soul-searching

soul-searchings

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“Soul-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soul-searching. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of soul-searching

noun

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