INTROSPECTIVE Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

introspective

adjective

Definition of introspective

as in contemplative

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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 introspective This free and fiery take on folk and indie pop could have benefitted from an edit that allowed its highlights to shine, but its deceptively soft, introspective parts are potent nonetheless. — Lina Lecaro, SPIN, 20 July 2026 After being a key to the victory of the Trojan War, Greek hero Odysseus (Matt Damon) goes to hell and back trying to get home to his wife (Anne Hathaway) and son (Tom Holland) in Nolan's brutal yet introspective adaptation of Homer's epic poem. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026 If anything, ages 14 through 19 were probably some of the most introspective times of my life. — Adam Messinger, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 That seems to have helped inspire the introspective, memoiristic aspects of this album. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for introspective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for introspective

Adjective

Pilgrims walk between temples, rest in historic ryokan and keep to contemplative daily rituals that discourage mass, high-speed tourism.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
The pacing feels off throughout much of the film, with comic and contemplative asides gumming up the central caper.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of contemplative

Adjective

Watch On Despite containing a plot summary in its title and a tepid reception when it was released, director Andrew Dominik’s meditative film manages to be both suspenseful and insightful.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 21 Aug. 2026
Festival regular Diaz was in Cannes last year with Magalhães (Magellan), starring Gael García Bernal, another meditative historical reimagining about colonial legacy and human endurance.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of meditative

Adjective

Join Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-creator Dan Goor and cast members for an exclusive retrospective celebrating the beloved NBC comedy.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026
Wolff believes this gives the agency more immediate visibility into client performance, rather than relying solely on retrospective reporting.

— Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of retrospective

Adjective

The collector uses reflective elements to direct sunlight toward an absorber panel, where the energy is trapped and transferred to a medium such as air or water.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
The first feels rooted in youth, summer, romance and memory; after the switch, the music becomes more reflective, solitary and unsettled.

— Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of reflective

Adjective

The result is a self-reflective collection of empowering pop anthems and wistful ballads that detail not only the dissolution of a relationship but a return to oneself.

— Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Political memoirs are rarely especially vulnerable or self-reflective.

— Julia Terruso, Time, 11 June 2026

Definition of self-reflective

Adjective

But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.

— Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 19 June 2026
Their ruminative hush sets them apart in an era of instant-gratification drops.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026

Definition of ruminative

Adjective

Founded in 2009, the group has bloomed into a small empire—we’re talking nearly 70 of the South’s favorite restaurants, hotels, bars, and cafes, plus another dozen or so in development—with thoughtful intention.

— Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026
This means clear standards, thoughtful planning and investment in new energy generation and transmission.

— Frances Townsend, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of thoughtful

Browse Nearby Words

introspections

introspective

introversion

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“Introspective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/introspective. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of introspective

adjective

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