as in introspection
examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
some self-observation might give you some insights into how others perceive you
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Recent Examples of self-observation
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
Anyone who has tracked their daily steps or worn a glucose monitor can testify that self-observation works.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
Michael Hudson, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
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
- introspection
- self-reflection
- self-examination
- soul-searching
- self-scrutiny
- contemplation
- self-contemplation
- self-questioning
Noun
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When consumed, the body breaks down the compound into psilocin, an alkaloid that can cause startling visual hallucinations and psychological effects, often including intense introspection.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
11 Sep. 2025
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Is there anything in all that coastal introspection for an inland audience in Denver, Colorado?—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As with many things in life, self-reflection can be a tremendous help in mitigating worry, fear, pressure, anxiety, and stress.—
Harry Kraemer,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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An effort by the College Board to reemphasize the benefits of deep reading — for critical thinking, for self-reflection, for learning of all kinds — might go a long way toward restoring some balance.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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This disciplined self-examination is the foundation for refining skills and advancing toward mastery.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Peterson’s messages about masculinity have found an audience among young men seeking direction and prompted soul-searching among Christian podcasting pastors.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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But Black Wednesday also sparked deeper soul-searching.—
Kyle Westaway,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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Few other nations are as prone to self-scrutiny and self-criticism, or as engaged in impassioned discourse on the nature of liberty and democracy without fear of governmental repression.—
Kenneth Lasson,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Bill gravitates towards Tammy (Jane Levy), his daughter-in-law and the only other person in his rambunctious household who values contemplation and repose.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
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In the contemplation stage, individuals consider the need for change and intend to take action within the foreseeable future.—
Susan Madsen,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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After the eclipse wraps, the Sun doubles down on the compulsion toward self-contemplation in partnership with Lilith.—
Jennifer Culp,
Them,
27 Sep. 2024
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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
Noun
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But users can instruct it to be tentative, hesitant, self-questioning or even deliberately clumsy.—
Chris Reed,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-observation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-observation. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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