as in introspection
examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
not one for self-scrutiny, the president was known for never looking back or second-guessing himself
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Recent Examples of self-scrutiny
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
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
Above all, Raisman is working on breaking free from a vicious cycle of self-scrutiny.
—Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024
Since my teens, a tendency to spiral into a tornado of self-scrutiny and expecting the absolute worst to happen have been toxic friends of mine.
—Emma Firth, Vogue, 14 Nov. 2023
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
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
Above all, Raisman is working on breaking free from a vicious cycle of self-scrutiny.
—Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024
Since my teens, a tendency to spiral into a tornado of self-scrutiny and expecting the absolute worst to happen have been toxic friends of mine.
—Emma Firth, Vogue, 14 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-scrutiny
- introspection
- self-examination
- soul-searching
- self-reflection
- self-observation
- self-questioning
- contemplation
- self-searching
Noun
-
Winter is prime time for introspection and rest, and the current wave of nail trends reflect that.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The Altadena space suffered minimal damage, and after months of introspection and urging from his employees, Tyler rechristened the place as Betsy in August.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some time spent in self-examination could yield new insights.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The immediate reward for undertaking this kind of hard self-examination would mainly be shame and regret.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But there has also been sadness and soul-searching about the place the community has in a neighborhood well known for its Jewish roots, and in Australia’s wider society.—
Katie Silver,
NBC news,
25 Dec. 2025
-
Moore has some soul-searching to do in the offseason, which has already begun for all intents and purposes.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
30 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Real-life scenarios, self-reflection, group discussion, and practical tools.—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
-
As Mercury enters Capricorn, self-reflection is your priority.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
1 Jan. 2026
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
-
But users can instruct it to be tentative, hesitant, self-questioning or even deliberately clumsy.—
Chris Reed,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After much contemplation, a solution presented itself.—
Laurie Brookins,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Some of those moms include the terrific performers Cindy Cheung and Liz Wisan, and the play itself promises satire, songs, bouffon, bodily fluids, and, underneath it all, a contemplation of overwhelming joy and ineffable heartache.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But such athletic excess is part of what makes this album admirable, as is a sense of spiritual and intellectual hunger that’ll be quickly recognizable to anyone familiar with the Ziggy Stardust/Zen Arcade/Tommy school of self-searching rock epic.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
-
One of many things the culture lost with Lennon’s death was his rare example as a burgeoning and often self-searching male feminist, serving as a role model for men looking to take account of their behavior.—
Jon Pareles,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-scrutiny. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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