inwardness
noun
in·ward·ness
ˈin-wərd-nəs 
1
: internal quality or substance
2
: close acquaintance : familiarity
3
: fundamental nature : essence
4
: absorption in one's own mental or spiritual life
Examples of inwardness in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Their socialism, its inwardness and self-sufficiency, was a way of incubating Hebrew.
—
Jordan Castro, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024
For all the closeups of her that Williams delivers, none of them have the pathos or the inwardness of the ones in which Lawrence drinks her in with his eyes while enduring the torment of his frustrated lust.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2023
This emphasis on inwardness is obviously a kind of Protestantism—in particular, the kind of dissenting spiritual enthusiasm to which all Protestantism inevitably leads.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
The silent breakfasts give you a chance to start your day on a mindful note and practice the Augustinian Sisters’ longstanding tradition of dining quietly and embracing inwardness at mealtimes.
—Joni Sweet, Forbes, 17 July 2023
There’s an inwardness to the way these boys express themselves, especially in regard to each another.
—Manuel Betancourt, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Nov. 2022
The inwardness of McCorkle’s Omar has an overwhelming gravity.
—Charles McNultytheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2022
The insistence on total inwardness, the exploration of the mysterious depths of the self, made possible the psychological richness and formal innovation of Romantic poets from Novalis to Coleridge, Leopardi, and Whitman.
—Adam Kirsch, The New Republic, 21 Oct. 2022
There is an inwardness in the songs, but also an awareness of others, almost a fear of navel-gazing or self-indulgence.
—Brandon Taylor, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2022
Jordan Castro, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024
For all the closeups of her that Williams delivers, none of them have the pathos or the inwardness of the ones in which Lawrence drinks her in with his eyes while enduring the torment of his frustrated lust.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2023
This emphasis on inwardness is obviously a kind of Protestantism—in particular, the kind of dissenting spiritual enthusiasm to which all Protestantism inevitably leads.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
The silent breakfasts give you a chance to start your day on a mindful note and practice the Augustinian Sisters’ longstanding tradition of dining quietly and embracing inwardness at mealtimes.
—Joni Sweet, Forbes, 17 July 2023
There’s an inwardness to the way these boys express themselves, especially in regard to each another.
—Manuel Betancourt, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Nov. 2022
The inwardness of McCorkle’s Omar has an overwhelming gravity.
—Charles McNultytheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2022
The insistence on total inwardness, the exploration of the mysterious depths of the self, made possible the psychological richness and formal innovation of Romantic poets from Novalis to Coleridge, Leopardi, and Whitman.
—Adam Kirsch, The New Republic, 21 Oct. 2022
There is an inwardness in the songs, but also an awareness of others, almost a fear of navel-gazing or self-indulgence.
—Brandon Taylor, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inwardness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inwardness
Cite this Entry
“Inwardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inwardness. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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