self-exploration

noun

self-ex·​plo·​ra·​tion ˌself-ˌek-splə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce self-exploration (audio)
-ˌsplȯ-
: the examination and analysis of one's own unrealized spiritual or intellectual capacities

Examples of self-exploration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Long takes emphasize the mental labor of Hujar’s self-exploration, and Sachs’s framing (with cinematography by Alex Ashe) crowds the pair together to evoke the intimacy of their talk. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2025 Many of his clients are women, often in their 30s to 60s, seeking meaningful self-exploration. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025 As for the Banks sisters, Ashley (Akira Akbar) works through a rebellious phase during her freshman year as Hilary (Coco Jones) goes on a journey of self-exploration. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025 During an appearance on the Reclaiming With Monica Lewinsky podcast on Tuesday, the Diplomat star shared a fond memory of her former costar amid a discussion about her self-exploration journey through psychedelics, MDMA, mushrooms, and even astrology. Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025 In undergoing the complex journey of self-exploration, Panic! Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025 This year has been a bit of self-exploration. Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025 The grotto set the stage for the rest of my visit: quiet spirituality, relaxation, and self-exploration. Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2025 The survey also polled 992 parents of 16-to-24-year-olds, 16% of whom encouraged social media as a tool for career and self-exploration. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-exploration was in 1954

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Cite this Entry

“Self-exploration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-exploration. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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