as in egocentric
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Recent Examples of inner-directed
One is inner-directed, determined to build self-esteem.
—
Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2023
Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inner-directed
Adjective
-
A lot of tennis players are so egocentric.—
Patrick McEnroe,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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But research on egocentric bias shows that leaders vastly overestimate how much audiences care about the company's journey.—
Harrison Monarth,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But on Team Reggie, there’s no ruthless Jack Donaghy, no narcissistic Jenna Maroney.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Jagged shards of memory shown in flashbacks suggest Laura’s fear and vulnerability as a young girl (played by the filmmakers’ daughter Eliz Mundruczó), alongside indications of narcissistic, at times violent Ivan’s shortcomings as a parent.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
People forget that being an athlete is selfish.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
12 Feb. 2026
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The first, the sewing machine, was created by a selfish and ambitious inventor who wanted all the credit and was willing to fight a war for it.—
Luis Gallo,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Such moments—subjective but hardly solipsistic—are few and far between.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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Helm is nothing if not solipsistic, narcissistic even.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Travel ball is very self-centered.—
Eric Sondheimer
Columnist
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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Most of them are self-centered, thinking only of themselves.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In Tim Burton’s breakthrough film, O’Hara played tragically hip Delia Deetz, the pretentious and self-absorbed stepmother of Winona Ryder’s Lydia.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Benedict doesn’t realize that the woman who has entirely captured his attention is Sophie, the maid for the formidable Araminta Gun (Katie Leung), aka Lady Penwood and her daughters, the vicious and self-absorbed Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) and the sweet but simple Posy Li (Isabella Wei).—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As Dylan plays a series of shows, he is also seen in various hotel rooms, cutting down journalists and others with a self-regarding wit.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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The screenwriter, Nora Garrett, has achieved an amusingly florid Hollywood simulacrum—one that tilts into knowing parody—of an intensely self-regarding world.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Three hundred high school players gather at a remote facility to compete in ruthless trials where only one will emerge as the world’s greatest and most egoistic striker.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inner-directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inner-directed. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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