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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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-scrutiny
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
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
- contemplation
- self-searching
Noun
-
Research clearly shows the power of such introspection.—
Albert Kim,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
By photographing moments of introspection and inner life, Romane takes part in the ritual itself, while spending meaningful time with the communities of Jurema and the quilombos.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The passage of time may increase the anguish of self-examination, but the search for truth is always worth the cost.—
Gary Knight,
Rolling Stone,
1 Aug. 2025
-
This also requires you to do some self-examination.—
Harmon Kong,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
The conference call was dispiriting, with CEO Andy Jassy giving a long and unnecessary soul-searching answer to Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak's question about Amazon falling behind in generative.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The scale of the Republican Party's triumph in November—taking the White House, flipping the Senate, and maintaining control of the House—has sparked soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong and how to rebuild.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Any student who completes at least three sessions receives a portfolio with their hours of participation, topics discussed, peer feedback and a self-reflection, which can be shared with college admissions offices.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
15 Aug. 2025
-
But that same glue wasn’t transformed into a product until an innovation occurred, driven by self-reflection far from the workplace.—
Albert Kim,
Forbes.com,
13 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
-
The moments of joy and lightness are interspersed with shots of Williams in deep contemplation.—
Audrey Gibbs,
The Tennessean,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The youth event in Rome – part of the Catholic Church’s jubilee celebrations – saw Leo both embrace the young people’s enthusiasm but ensure moments of quiet contemplation.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
3 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share