introspection

noun

ˌin-trə-ˈspek-shən How to pronounce introspection (audio)
Definition of introspectionnext
as in soul-searching
examination of one's own thoughts and feelings not a man given to introspection, he grew impatient with his wife's constant need to discuss their relationship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of introspection On the other, Anthropic has argued that its AI model, Claude, has shown signs of introspection, internal states that mirror joy or satisfaction, and processing information similar to the human mind. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026 It’s all been replaced with a great sense of humility and introspection spread across little more than half an hour. — Jason Pettigrew, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026 Playing Sebastian, however, required a different kind of introspection. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 Here, the richness of color, sound and narration coalesce into a poetic introspection that can only be described as divine. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for introspection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for introspection
  1. soul-searching
  2. self-reflection
  3. self-examination
  4. contemplation
  5. self-observation
  6. self-scrutiny
  7. self-questioning
Noun
  • Mercury followed suit later that month, aiding Venus’ soul-searching with its thorough detective work.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Crowley won the primary by a half percentage point — roughly 3,800 votes — illustrating Democrats’ soul-searching in the Upper Midwestern swing state.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of soul-searching
Noun
  • After scoring 43 points on 17-of-25 shooting in last week’s win over Golden State, Booker was asked whether that self-reflection drove his performance.
    — Doug Haller, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Later in life, Schwam created Humanity 101, an initiative of Arizona State University’s Project Humanities, promoting the values of compassion, empathy, forgiveness, integrity, kindness, respect and self-reflection.
    — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of self-reflection
Noun
  • This week, for example, France began a national self-examination after youthful protests led to looting and destruction.
    — the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Pausing to look means being willing to see what is not working, and such honest self-examination is uncomfortable in a way most of us don’t seek out voluntarily.
    — Bill Koch, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of self-examination
Noun
  • There is a small water basin symbolizing the source of life, and a continuous path that echoes monastic walks of contemplation.
    — Michael James Gardner, Architectural Digest, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Walking and talking with an AI fellow pilgrim Which brings me back to the Kumano Kodo in Japan, where contemplation is a key element of the traditional experience.
    — Shay Rabineau, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of contemplation
Noun
  • The purpose of this exercise is not to match your paradigm perfectly but to give you a thematic lens for self-observation.
    — Liz Tran, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Anyone who has tracked their daily steps or worn a glucose monitor can testify that self-observation works.
    — Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
Definition of self-observation
Noun
  • And the strategies our minds reach for in moments of doubt—retreat, control, relentless self-scrutiny—can work powerfully against us at the moments that matter most.
    — Karyn Gallant, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • People committed to covenant cannot lose the capacity for moral self-scrutiny.
    — Rabbi Josh Weinberg, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
Definition of self-scrutiny
Noun
  • Fielder’s portrait of Holmes and his display of his methods turn his questioning to self-questioning, forcing him to assess, and even revise, basic assumptions about her and about life in general.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
  • After long periods of grief, reflection and painful self-questioning, most of the families interviewed by The Charlotte Observer no longer seem interested in reducing their children’s deaths to any one thing.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
Definition of self-questioning

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intros
introspection
introspections
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Cite this Entry

“Introspection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/introspection. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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