introspection

noun in·tro·spec·tion \ ˌin-trə-ˈspek-shən \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Examples: introspection in a Sentence

: a reflective looking inward : an examination of one's own thoughts and feelings

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introspect

play \ˌin-trə-ˈspekt\ verb

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introspectional

play \ˌin-trə-ˈspek-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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introspective

play \ˌin-trə-ˈspek-tiv\ adjective

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introspectively

adverb

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introspectiveness

noun

See introspection defined for English-language learners

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Examples of introspection in a Sentence

a moment of quiet introspection
not a man given to introspection, he grew impatient with his wife's constant need to discuss their relationship

Recent Examples of introspection from the Web

Having a silent conversation partner encourages introspection; no interruptions or negative body language from this friend.

— eileen sharkey, BostonGlobe.com, "In the age of Skype, we still keep in touch via cassette tape," 8 June 2018
This year, led by survivors of school shootings, summer means introspection and tackling a societal issue that had previously been seen as hopeless: gun violence in schools.

— patrik jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, "After mass shootings, students hope to change sense of siege to surge in activism," 22 May 2018
Here in an elegant transition, Kirkpatrick shows more introspection, self-doubt, even fear.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "'All the Way' a brilliant political drama from Southern Rep," 29 May 2018
Also possible: The company’s organizational epiphany has less to do with careful introspection than an avalanche of safety challenges that has already eroded its executive ranks and an intensifying battle to keep star managers from leaving.

— sam walker, WSJ, "There’s a War on Middle Management and Tesla Just Joined It," 18 May 2018
Judd Apatow’s two-night documentary about his comedy mentor, who died in March 2016, looks at Garry Shandling’s comedy through the prism of his spirituality and introspection.

— ellen gray, Philly.com, "TV picks: 'Roseanne,' 'Call the Midwife,' 'One Strange Rock,' 'Billions' and more," 21 Mar. 2018
Her trilogy is made up of virtuosic, morally discursive works that eschew narrative in favour of what, initially, appears to be a stream of introspection from a Greek chorus of characters.

— The Economist, "Rachel Cusk experiments with new ways to tell stories," 10 May 2018
From the chest thumping exercises alongside DJ Premier on both PRhyme albums and as a part of Slaughterhouse to the newfound introspection as a sober man of five years found on Layers, Royce has proven to be far more than Eminem’s friend.

— andreas hale, Billboard, "5 Things We Learned After Our First Listen to Royce Da 5'9''s New Album 'Book of Ryan'," 4 May 2018
Accountability, amends, introspection, restitution, then redemption.

— anna silman, The Cut, "7 Actresses on Whether the Men of #MeToo Should Get a Path to Redemption," 1 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'introspection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.