as in introspection
examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
so consumed with self-questioning that he was virtually paralyzed by self-doubt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in self-reflective
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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-questioning
Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
But users can instruct it to be tentative, hesitant, self-questioning or even deliberately clumsy.
—Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-questioning
- introspection
- self-reflective
- soul-searching
- diffident
- self-reflection
- self-examination
- self-observation
- self-scrutiny
Noun
-
However, the song isn’t really a diss track towards Taylor, but rather an introspection song for Charli.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Many observers fast from food and water for 25 hours to facilitate deep introspection.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet through Bob, Anderson finds his way into this story in a way that feels self-reflective and in conversation with a whole generation of coulda been revolutionaries.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Each of the seven tracks stands on its own merit as a self-reflective tale of vulnerability and longing.—
Jae-Ha Kim,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Beyoncé’s victories have been followed by the Grammys doing some genre soul-searching.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
-
When the Eagles were in that cramped, humid locker room during Week 4 a year ago, soul-searching was required.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In the new film Hot Milk, the sensual but diffident 20-something Sofia (Emma Mackey) travels with her invalid mother, Rose (Fiona Shaw), to the Mediterranean shores of Spain in search of an experimental cure for the latter’s (possibly hypochondriac) illness.—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
-
Today, they’re considered all-time greats, geniuses of melody and tension and originators of the diffident, philosophical mode that came to dominate American guitar rock in the new century.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
That spirit manages to survive a patently modern star turn from Mark Wahlberg, whose incapacity for nuance and self-reflection is well-served by a role that has little interest in either.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
30 Sep. 2025
-
This album juxtaposes moments of self-reflection with themes of emotional empowerment, chronicling her journey toward healing and the pursuit of new experiences.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
That may be too much heightened self-scrutiny.—
Bryan Price,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Self-questioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-questioning. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share