as in self-actualization
the act of achieving the full development of your abilities and talents
Work is often a means of self-realization.
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Recent Examples of self-realization
Leaving, at the time, was seen as a temporary sacrifice, something connected to work and supporting a family, not to self-realization.
—
Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Taking the main character’s famous journey of self-realization every night.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
Although that self-realization is timeless, Roder cannily positions it to speak to contemporary times.
—Stephen Saito, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025
This isn’t some crytpic way of talking about what happens without spoiling it, about some sort of self-realization.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-realization
Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Taking the main character’s famous journey of self-realization every night.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
Although that self-realization is timeless, Roder cannily positions it to speak to contemporary times.
—Stephen Saito, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025
This isn’t some crytpic way of talking about what happens without spoiling it, about some sort of self-realization.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-realization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-realization
- self-actualization
- self-discovery
- self-fulfillment
- meditation
- self-exploration
- introspection
- contemplation
- self-reflection
Noun
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That spirit was palpable in Demna’s debut show at Gucci, where self-concept and self-actualization seemed to come alive in a way that almost laughed at itself.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
The adaptation stars Ella Bruccoleri as the eponymous Mary, who goes on a voyage of self-actualization in London.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That’s not to say nothing happens — Cyd (an excellent Jessie Pinnick) romances a nonbinary barista and bonds with her writer aunt — but the events take second fiddle to the 16-year-old’s exhilaratingly ordinary journey of self-discovery.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
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Perhaps Pryor was looking in all the wrong places on her quest to self-discovery and the ultimate understanding of all things n-word.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
Noun
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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
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And increasingly, women are choosing solitude and self-fulfillment over unsatisfying relationships.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For a fall foliage option, Sky Meadow Retreat in Vermont bundles daily yoga, meditation, tai chi, art therapy, sound healing and forest hiking for around $1,600 over four days.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
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Guests can choose from a variety of yoga styles along with meditation, massage, hiking, biking and water sports.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Noun
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That self-neglect resulted in a health challenge, which eventually led to Godfred reconnecting with her passion for poetry and self-exploration.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
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After a whole lot of angst and self-exploration.—
Tina Eves,
SPIN,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As a ritual romanticized for generations as one of the most significant events of a person’s life, the modern wedding tends to provoke a nebulous kind of introspection separating it from its most notable counterparts.—
Bobby Finger
June 16,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
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This brand of builder has a high tolerance for risk and isn’t afraid to list having empathy or self-introspection as vulnerabilities.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Its challenges require active engagement, not passive contemplation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
-
Sterman, after much contemplation, decided to use natives but didn’t develop a detailed plan.—
Nicole Sours Larson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Miraval has long encouraged guests to limit or even forego their use of digital devices as a way of enhancing awareness of one’s surroundings and allowing moments for self-reflection and personal growth.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
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Opportunities for self-reflection abound across the summer calendar.—
Kayla Samoy,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-realization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-realization. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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