soul-searching
noun
soul-search·ing
ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ 
: examination of one's conscience especially with regard to motives and values
Synonyms
Examples of soul-searching in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her cancer diagnosis and subsequent death kicks off what little plot there is in Sabbath’s Theater, sending Mickey on a soul-searching quest through his relationships, past and present.
—
Vulture, 2 Nov. 2023
The official Israeli response to those soul-searching questions is that for now the nation must wage war and those questions must and will be thoroughly studied.
—Avner Cohen, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2023
And the violence came 50 years and a day after the Yom Kippur War of 1973, when Israel was also surprised by an Arab attack on multiple fronts, leading to huge Israeli losses and soul-searching about the state of the country.
—Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2023
South Alabama came into this season with high expectations after going 10-3 a year ago, but might have to do some soul-searching following Saturday’s loss.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 2 Sep. 2023
The deaths inspired waves of books, articles and investigations of conspiracy theories, as well as a period of soul-searching among Britons, who resented the royal family’s standoffish behavior and were caught up in displays of mass grief.
—Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2023
The incident is fueling nationwide soul-searching about sexism in sports, and in society at large.
—USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
Buoyed by the cost-of-living crisis and immigration angst, its rise has caused soul-searching for a country still mindful of its Nazi past.
—Kate Brady, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
This in turn prompted soul-searching among Ukraine’s Western backers while bolstering critics alarmed more at the cost of soaring food and energy prices than at Russia’s empire-building.
—Bychristiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2023
See More
Vulture, 2 Nov. 2023
The official Israeli response to those soul-searching questions is that for now the nation must wage war and those questions must and will be thoroughly studied.
—Avner Cohen, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2023
And the violence came 50 years and a day after the Yom Kippur War of 1973, when Israel was also surprised by an Arab attack on multiple fronts, leading to huge Israeli losses and soul-searching about the state of the country.
—Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2023
South Alabama came into this season with high expectations after going 10-3 a year ago, but might have to do some soul-searching following Saturday’s loss.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 2 Sep. 2023
The deaths inspired waves of books, articles and investigations of conspiracy theories, as well as a period of soul-searching among Britons, who resented the royal family’s standoffish behavior and were caught up in displays of mass grief.
—Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2023
The incident is fueling nationwide soul-searching about sexism in sports, and in society at large.
—USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
Buoyed by the cost-of-living crisis and immigration angst, its rise has caused soul-searching for a country still mindful of its Nazi past.
—Kate Brady, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
This in turn prompted soul-searching among Ukraine’s Western backers while bolstering critics alarmed more at the cost of soaring food and energy prices than at Russia’s empire-building.
—Bychristiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'soul-searching.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1924, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near soul-searching
Cite this Entry
“Soul-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soul-searching. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
soul-searching
noun
soul-search·ing
ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ
: examination of one's conscience and especially one's reasons and values
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