soul-searching

noun

soul-search·​ing ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ 

: examination of one's conscience especially with regard to motives and values

Synonyms

• introspection
• self-contemplation
• self-examination
• self-observation
• self-questioning
• self-reflection
• self-scrutiny
• self-searching

Examples of soul-searching in a Sentence

after much soul-searching, they both realized that their marriage was essentially over

Recent Examples on the Web

The scale of the Republican Party's triumph in November—taking the White House, flipping the Senate, and maintaining control of the House—has sparked widespread soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong and how to rebuild. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025

Her speech will be watched closely by Democratic party insiders who are also soul-searching the future direction of their beleaguered party. —Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 1 May 2025

At the same time, the soul-searching underway on the Democratic side demonstrates an uncertainty about what messaging and who should come next. —Averi Harper, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025

The scale of Trump's triumph has sparked widespread soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong and how to rebuild. —Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for soul-searching

• researching
• lurching
• perching
• searching

Kids Definition

soul-searching

noun

soul-search·​ing

ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ

: examination of one's conscience and especially one's reasons and values