as in self-realization
formal
the process of fully developing and using your abilities
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Recent Examples of self-actualization
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
These stories reveal how movement, both literal and metaphorical, can propel the ongoing work of self-actualization.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 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
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
These stories reveal how movement, both literal and metaphorical, can propel the ongoing work of self-actualization.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 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
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His sociopathy is the logical extension of a homicidal ethos of self-actualization, self-realization, and self-care.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Sincerity is the path to self-realization in Rousseau’s political philosophy, according to political science professor Arthur Melzer.—
Kenneth Andrew Andres Leonardo,
The Conversation,
6 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
-
Girl Talk What could be remembered as a beautiful episode of self-discovery for Taylor is sabotaged by Dakota’s Machiavellian behavior.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The tween years are a time of big emotions and self-discovery, and shows that reflect this can help kids feel seen and understood.—
Anna Earl,
Parents,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Younger people are interested in self-exploration, but on their terms.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
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That sets Charli off on a bit of self-exploration and a reunion with her childhood friend Nel (Lena Góra).—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those struggles also led to introspection by everyone involved.—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Disco, Occasionally, and eclectic project that goes heavy on the disco ball introspection.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Researchers tested the chatbots in simulated international crises; all demonstrated self-awareness, an ability to model opponents’ thinking, and grasp of game theory.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Part of what makes his significant and beautiful memoir, A Different Person (1995), an important work of art is Merrill’s self-awareness that writing a memoir is an act in service of not a self but many selves, amounting not to a definitive statement but to a kind of treatise about being.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Islamabad is not yet willing to indulge in a bit of self-reflection.—
Mihir Sharma,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
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The album’s volley of astute re-creations of this idea sometimes gets in the way of Styles’s attempt to relay sadness or dour self-reflection.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-actualization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-actualization. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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