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 They become withdrawn and introspective and very aware of their body and their mind and not very aware of the external world.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

Christine Sadler Christine Sadler, also known as, C.A. Sadlowski, talks about history with an introspective look at the lives of nursing students in the 1960s. —Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 9 May 2025

The month began with an introspective first-quarter moon on May 4, bringing hidden emotions to the surface. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 May 2025

In a wide-ranging interview that spans his childhood dyslexia, career-long antagonism of Donald Trump and navigation of today’s contracting movie business, Lee is alternately funny and introspective, worried and grateful, but always unapologetically himself. —Rebecca Keegan, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2025

There’s a duality to it, introspective and bold at the same time. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 3 May 2025

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