as in self-realization
formal
the process of fully developing and using your abilities
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Recent Examples of self-actualization
What happens when you are forced to choose between a beautiful, vulnerable tradition and your own self-actualization?
—
Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 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
Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 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
-
Her book, Tiny Experiments, is a transformative guide for living a more experimental life, turning uncertainty into curiosity, and carving a path of self-discovery.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Legally Blonde warms the heart by proving that self-discovery never goes out of style!—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Younger people are interested in self-exploration, but on their terms.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
-
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
-
While there is nothing wrong with taking inspiration from fashion icons, finding your signature aesthetic requires a touch of introspection.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Have a sit on one of their benches and enjoy a moment of introspection and thinking.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Now, that same self-awareness has become the norm across the increasingly lucrative scary movie industry.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But after the first year or so, the joking self-awareness had been replaced by earnest reviews of products sent gratis to the girls by skincare brands hoping for shout-outs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No one knows everything when getting into a relationship, but self-reflection and awareness have been beneficial.—
Christina Frazier,
Health,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Season 2 has been one of introspection through loss and self-reflection that has helped both McKay and Dourif grow steadily alongside one another.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-actualization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-actualization. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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