self-awareness

noun

Definition of self-awarenessnext
as in self-consciousness
knowledge and awareness of your own personality or character Her self-awareness was unusual in such a young child.

Related Words

Relevance

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 self-awareness The gap between our intentions and observable behavior, and the self-awareness gap. — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 For all the movie’s self-awareness, it’s filled with tenderness and humor. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-awareness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-awareness
  1. self-consciousness
  2. self-recognition
  3. self-analysis
  4. introspection
  5. self-reflection
  6. self-examination
  7. self-observation
  8. soul-searching
Noun
  • Four-hour rehearsal days, repetition until instinct replaces self-consciousness, and a certain surrender to imperfection.
    — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • That’s the opposite of collective uniformity, where you’re so overcome by self-consciousness and insecurity.
    — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 1 July 2026
Definition of self-consciousness
Noun
  • According to a new study published in PLOS One, both animals show the behavioral hallmarks of mirror self-recognition—a cognitive ability long considered a marker of self-awareness, and one that had never before been documented in beluga whales.
    — Federica Sgorbissa, ArsTechnica, 24 May 2026
  • Research from Frontiers in Neurology and Neuroscience links susceptibility to contagious yawning with theory of mind, self-recognition and activation of brain regions associated with social cognition and empathy.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of self-recognition
Noun
  • For aspiring owners, self-analysis of one’s personality, financial status, goals and life experiences should become the foundation for future choices.
    — Angelo Chavez, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
  • Bait, the new Prime Video miniseries Ahmed created, wrote, and stars in, is both an exercise in self-analysis and an interrogation of it, a breakneck romp through farce, satire, thriller, family drama, and romantic walk-and-talk that transforms itself in each of its six episodes.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of self-analysis
Noun
  • Nothing about the character suggests introspection of any type.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
  • This show about the consequences of limited introspection suffers them as well.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of introspection
Noun
  • Organizational self-reflection will always lead to progress when paired with a willingness to improve.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Parents don’t need to feel guilty if their teens aren’t constantly busy—unstructured time can foster self-reflection and relaxation.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 16 July 2026
Definition of self-reflection
Noun
  • Fundamental Questions To Ask CEOs and the board chair should think of the annual review as a self-examination into what is working well today and what can be improved for tomorrow.
    — James Langabeer, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Prior to the age of 40, your annual OB-GYN exam and regular self-examination is the baseline for screening for anything suspicious; after the age of 40, an annual mammogram is recommended for additional imaging.
    — Nicole Pajer, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
Definition of self-examination
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
  • While resilience was the catchphrase of the first quarter among bank CEOs, the latest blowout quarter may be prompting a bit of soul-searching.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 16 July 2026
  • But defeat left Koeman looking powerless and the Netherlands in need of new energy and new ideas as thoughts turn to the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign and an increasingly familiar period of soul-searching for Dutch football.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of soul-searching

Browse Nearby Words

self-assuredness
self-awareness
self-belt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-awareness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-awareness. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on self-awareness

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about self-awareness

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All