as in soul-searching
examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
the author seems to use poetry as a medium for her restless self-searching
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of self-searching
While there’s still some of the angst and self-searching of Girls, Too Much is classic odd-couple romcom.
—
James Medd, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2025
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
James Medd, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-searching
- soul-searching
- introspection
- self-examination
- self-reflection
- self-observation
- self-questioning
- self-scrutiny
- contemplation
Noun
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The story attracted her first, a heartwarming narrative about an aquarium cleaner (Field) who looks after a giant Pacific octopus (voiced by Alfred Molina) and the young drifter (Lewis Pullman) who deepens both their lives while doing his own soul-searching.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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Barnes met Imam in a moment of soul-searching.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some viewers took Sharon’s critique as tough love that prompted necessary introspection about why their natural texture is concealed and manipulated so often.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
14 May 2026
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The back half is comprised of less showy songs that fold midlife introspection into broader concerns.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Esalen framed this and similar efforts not just as political education but as deeply transformative experiences requiring self-examination and accountability.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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The shift from institutional blame to self-examination is where the film found its real subject.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Speaks said therapy and self-reflection helped change his own life and inspired him to pursue psychology.—
Nicky Zizaza,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
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That self-reflection led to Rushing’s best performance to date at the plate.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
Noun
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The purpose of this exercise is not to match your paradigm perfectly but to give you a thematic lens for self-observation.—
Liz Tran,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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And yet, in the scene on the Hill of Love, Lapid offers no self-questioning, no sense of cinematic exertion or trouble, in the fictional framing of the real agonies of Gaza.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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That may be too much heightened self-scrutiny.—
Bryan Price,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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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
Noun
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Selzer’s contemplations bring together literature, history, philosophy, medicine, and ruminations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
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Gold can be one option worth serious contemplation right now.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-searching. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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