self-examination

noun

self-ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion ˌself-ig-ˌza-mə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a reflective examination (as of one's beliefs or motives) : introspection

2

: examination of one's body especially for evidence of disease

Synonyms of self-examination

• introspection
• soul-searching
• self-reflection
• self-observation
• self-scrutiny
• contemplation

Examples of self-examination in a Sentence

many people use the dawning of a new year as an occasion for some quiet self-examination

Recent Examples on the Web

In an era where analytics and ever-growing coaching staffs allow teams to self-scout every week, the Patriots seem to have taken a more traditional approach and decided on a makeover after a self-examination last month during their bye. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026

Some time spent in self-examination could yield new insights. —Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026

The immediate reward for undertaking this kind of hard self-examination would mainly be shame and regret. —Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026

The book’s occasional oases of self-examination are surrounded by dusty expanses of omission and unconcern. —Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for self-examination

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Medical Definition

self-examination

noun

self-ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion -ig-ˌzam-ə-ˈnā-shən 

variants or self-exam

-ig-ˈzam 

: examination of one's body especially for evidence of disease

regular self-examination for early detection of breast cancer