as in self-realization
formal
the process of fully developing and using your abilities
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Recent Examples of self-actualization
That spirit was palpable in Demna’s debut show at Gucci, where self-concept and self-actualization seemed to come alive in a way that almost laughed at itself.
—
Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The adaptation stars Ella Bruccoleri as the eponymous Mary, who goes on a voyage of self-actualization in London.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
His sociopathy is the logical extension of a homicidal ethos of self-actualization, self-realization, and self-care.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
Gentle protagonists whose personal struggles with self-actualization end up activating the lives of others are, of course, familiar in the theater.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Stephanie Ahn 1 hour 59 minutes Bedford Park, Stephanie Ahn’s poignant directorial debut, follows Audrey on her path toward something like self-actualization, sparked by a chance encounter with a similarly lonely soul.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The adaptation stars Ella Bruccoleri as the eponymous Mary, who goes on a voyage of self-actualization in London.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
His sociopathy is the logical extension of a homicidal ethos of self-actualization, self-realization, and self-care.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
Gentle protagonists whose personal struggles with self-actualization end up activating the lives of others are, of course, familiar in the theater.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Stephanie Ahn 1 hour 59 minutes Bedford Park, Stephanie Ahn’s poignant directorial debut, follows Audrey on her path toward something like self-actualization, sparked by a chance encounter with a similarly lonely soul.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-actualization
- self-realization
- self-fulfillment
- self-discovery
- self-exploration
- introspection
- self-awareness
- self-reflection
Noun
-
Post vague quotes about self-realization that are universal but ultimately mean nothing.—
Emily Menez,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
His experiment in self-realization put him in a long line of spiritual seekers, and like innumerable young persons in every generation, he was actively engaged in evolving a design for living, drawing from sources near to and farther from home.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But this is a Norman Lear comedy after all (his last before passing in late 2023) — so by the end of the first episode, the hilarious sitcom has revealed its true interest in acceptance, forgiveness, and self-fulfillment.—
Michael Cuby,
Them.,
17 Nov. 2025
-
And increasingly, women are choosing solitude and self-fulfillment over unsatisfying relationships.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Those themes of identity, belonging and found family resonated with Benet after his own years-long journey of self-discovery.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
-
Many millennial and Gen Z women—including myself—explored going natural in college as part of the common self-discovery that comes with leaving home.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
That self-neglect resulted in a health challenge, which eventually led to Godfred reconnecting with her passion for poetry and self-exploration.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
After a whole lot of angst and self-exploration.—
Tina Eves,
SPIN,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This brand of builder has a high tolerance for risk and isn’t afraid to list having empathy or self-introspection as vulnerabilities.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
-
Embarrassment over a vulgar and inept political class seems unlikely to open out into severe introspection among the United States’ intellectual and cultural elites, who are primed to regurgitate the narratives of American exceptionalism.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Their self-awareness is not a workshop outcome but a daily discipline based on mindfulness and metacognition.—
Dr. Adil Dalal,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Uranus is disrupting your fourth house of home, family and emotional roots, while the North Node in your sign highlights your newfound identity and self-awareness.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Miraval has long encouraged guests to limit or even forego their use of digital devices as a way of enhancing awareness of one’s surroundings and allowing moments for self-reflection and personal growth.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
-
Opportunities for self-reflection abound across the summer calendar.—
Kayla Samoy,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-actualization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-actualization. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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