SELF-OBSERVATION Synonyms: 31 Similar Words

self-observation

noun

ˌself-ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən

Definition of self-observation

as in introspection

examination of one's own thoughts and feelings some self-observation might give you some insights into how others perceive you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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-observation 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-observation

Noun

Even among a crew known for sadboy introspection, Eccok2’s music is unusually private.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 12 Nov. 2026
Now, after over a century of studying introspection in humans and animals, researchers are beginning to explore the phenomenon in unlikely new subjects — large language models.

— Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of introspection

Noun

After scoring 43 points on 17-of-25 shooting in last week’s win over Golden State, Booker was asked whether that self-reflection drove his performance.

— Doug Haller, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Later in life, Schwam created Humanity 101, an initiative of Arizona State University’s Project Humanities, promoting the values of compassion, empathy, forgiveness, integrity, kindness, respect and self-reflection.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of self-reflection

Noun

This week, for example, France began a national self-examination after youthful protests led to looting and destruction.

— the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026
Pausing to look means being willing to see what is not working, and such honest self-examination is uncomfortable in a way most of us don’t seek out voluntarily.

— Bill Koch, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of self-examination

Noun

Mercury followed suit later that month, aiding Venus’ soul-searching with its thorough detective work.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Crowley won the primary by a half percentage point — roughly 3,800 votes — illustrating Democrats’ soul-searching in the Upper Midwestern swing state.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of soul-searching

Noun

And the strategies our minds reach for in moments of doubt—retreat, control, relentless self-scrutiny—can work powerfully against us at the moments that matter most.

— Karyn Gallant, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
People committed to covenant cannot lose the capacity for moral self-scrutiny.

— Rabbi Josh Weinberg, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026

Definition of self-scrutiny

Noun

There may be no bias as prevalent in politics and rhetoric as recency bias, the inclination to give disproportionate emphasis to recent events and statements rather than historical overview and contemplation.

— Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026
Throughout the yard is plenty of seating, both tables and chairs for entertaining and benches for contemplation — although Julie noted that there have been times they’ve been inundated with mosquitos.

— Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of contemplation

Noun

After the eclipse wraps, the Sun doubles down on the compulsion toward self-contemplation in partnership with Lilith.

— Jennifer Culp, Them, 27 Sep. 2024
Missing from the fair but important nonetheless is Hsiao Chin, the first and only post-war Chinese artist to convey Eastern philosophical ideas and the concepts of mindfulness and self-contemplation in the Western pictorial language of abstraction.

— Florence Tsai, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023

Definition of self-contemplation

Noun

Fielder’s portrait of Holmes and his display of his methods turn his questioning to self-questioning, forcing him to assess, and even revise, basic assumptions about her and about life in general.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
After long periods of grief, reflection and painful self-questioning, most of the families interviewed by The Charlotte Observer no longer seem interested in reducing their children’s deaths to any one thing.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026

Definition of self-questioning

Browse Nearby Words

selfness

self-observation

self-observations

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“Self-observation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-observation. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of self-observation

noun

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