as in self-exploration
the act or process of gaining knowledge or understanding of your abilities, character, and feelings
She was on a voyage of self-discovery.
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-discovery
Ethan is on a path of self-discovery.
—
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
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
Kobabe’s memoir unfolds roughly chronologically, documenting eir process of self-discovery through experimentation, reading, and navigating evolving relationships.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-discovery
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
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
Kobabe’s memoir unfolds roughly chronologically, documenting eir process of self-discovery through experimentation, reading, and navigating evolving relationships.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-discovery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-discovery
- self-exploration
- self-realization
- self-actualization
- introspection
- meditation
- self-fulfillment
- soul-searching
- self-reflection
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
-
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
-
What happens when you are forced to choose between a beautiful, vulnerable tradition and your own self-actualization?—
Literary Hub,
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
Noun
-
Every Male Actor Gets A Role WWII movies are a hard genre to stand out in, but Malick succeeds through introspection, inspired by the novel’s study of character amidst brutal chaos.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The Opera Gallery says the gouache reflects a moment of introspection and concentrated studio work for the artist.—
Jake McGowan,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And the paintings began, in part, as a meditation on erasure—a rebuke, of sorts, to a digital regime that had abandoned writing’s tactility.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The 3,000-square-foot Surya Spa is centered around Ayurvedic principles, with therapeutic massage, steam and oil treatments, yoga, meditation, and personalized programs available.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 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
-
Barnes met Imam in a moment of soul-searching.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
But thankfully, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are spared any such soul-searching.—
Lindsey Bahr,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These include psychotherapy that is inspired by the Quran, the teachings of the prophet and spiritual practices such as self-reflection, prayer and mindfulness.—
Anisah Bagasra,
The Conversation,
17 Apr. 2026
-
No one knows everything when getting into a relationship, but self-reflection and awareness have been beneficial.—
Christina Frazier,
Health,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-discovery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-discovery. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
