as in introspection
examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
many people use the dawning of a new year as an occasion for some quiet self-examination
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Recent Examples of self-examination
With each new Burr special of the last few years, this pattern repeats, with a wall of defensive posturing and then a twist into near-tender self-examination.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
His new album, Stardust, is his first recorded without substances, and trades self-examination for affirmation.
—Stephen Kearse, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2025
Mother’s turbulent self-examination is incited by the revelation of Sister Agnieszka’s pregnancy in the film’s first Act.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
This disciplined self-examination is the foundation for refining skills and advancing toward mastery.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-examination
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
His new album, Stardust, is his first recorded without substances, and trades self-examination for affirmation.
—Stephen Kearse, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2025
Mother’s turbulent self-examination is incited by the revelation of Sister Agnieszka’s pregnancy in the film’s first Act.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
This disciplined self-examination is the foundation for refining skills and advancing toward mastery.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-examination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-examination
Noun
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Philosophy is a practice of wonder and logic; curiosity and introspection; dialectic and meditation; criticism and advocacy.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
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Like its predecessors, the album incorporates Ant’s sticky signature beats on production and Daley’s clever rhymes, leading listeners through a world full of literary devices that drive introspection and sometimes the everyday insecurity of existence.—
Charlie Vargas,
Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And for all the soul-searching and probing, Conrad is well aware that kink can lead to comedy—up to a point.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
22 Jan. 2026
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There is no way to tackle these questions without deep reflection and a great deal of soul-searching.—
Kenneth Seeskin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The posterior cingulate, which is involved in self-reflection and memory, had lower volume with higher marijuana use.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
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But his resolution — which is not binding — is fairly unusual in its call for fasting, which, more than prayer alone, tends to prompt self-reflection, said Monks, who belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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There are three invitations leaders can offer their direct reports: Play with the technology as a tool for self-observation.—
Michael Hudson,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
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That may be too much heightened self-scrutiny.—
Bryan Price,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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In a foundational study, it was found that companies professing a strong belief in meritocracy were more likely to reward men over equally performing women because the belief in objectivity ironically reduces self-scrutiny in decisions, giving managers subconscious permission to act on stereotypes.—
Heather Price,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Noun
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Eid al-Fitr is a joyous time of renewal spent with friends and family after the month of spiritual cleansing, self-restraint and contemplation.—
Lianna Norman,
Florida Times-Union,
5 Feb. 2026
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For your contemplation, consider the following charts.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-examination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-examination. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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