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 They become withdrawn and introspective and very aware of their body and their mind and not very aware of the external world.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

Her amused, introspective grace juggling a vast cast of (wonderful) characters and (fascinating) relationships means the true story at the center here ends up playing second fiddle. —Literary Hub, 7 May 2026

The record, co-produced with Grammy winner Dave Cobb and recorded in Nashville, marks her first solo album since 2019 and traces an introspective journey through a woman's life. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026

Season two is quieter, narrower, and more introspective than season one, and yet despite that smaller focus leading the season to neglect some of its best assets, The Pitt still runs circles around every other medical drama on TV. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 May 2026

For a brief moment this weekend, the president appeared introspective. —Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for introspective

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