Thesaurus results for SOUL-SEARCHING

soul-searching

noun

ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ

Definition of soul-searching

as in introspection

examination of one's own thoughts and feelings after much soul-searching, they both realized that their marriage was essentially over

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 soul-searching Los Angeles is an ideal locale for such soul-searching, and being a stranger in a strange land — who finds other strangers there, too — forms a poignant, effective allegory (that’s also graciously restrained). — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026 While resilience was the catchphrase of the first quarter among bank CEOs, the latest blowout quarter may be prompting a bit of soul-searching. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 16 July 2026 But defeat left Koeman looking powerless and the Netherlands in need of new energy and new ideas as thoughts turn to the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign and an increasingly familiar period of soul-searching for Dutch football. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 June 2026 The group’s musical soul-searching is what gets most attention in the ReLoad box set. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for soul-searching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soul-searching

Noun

Ahead of the 2022 season, Pryor tore the patellar tendon in his left knee during preseason camp, beginning a year of introspection, discovery and, at times, distraction from the sport that had shaped his identity.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026
Nothing about the character suggests introspection of any type.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of introspection

Noun

Fundamental Questions To Ask CEOs and the board chair should think of the annual review as a self-examination into what is working well today and what can be improved for tomorrow.

— James Langabeer, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Prior to the age of 40, your annual OB-GYN exam and regular self-examination is the baseline for screening for anything suspicious; after the age of 40, an annual mammogram is recommended for additional imaging.

— Nicole Pajer, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Definition of self-examination

Noun

Concepts like a recurring conversation with a sibling, a habit picked up during a mundane after-school job, or a small mistake that took months to fully understand can be inroads to genuine self-reflection and creative expression.

— Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
In fact, Perez has never shied from self-reflection, speaking openly about his weight struggles and parenting challenges, sharing his hair-loss journey, and the trials and tribulations of several cross-country moves.

— Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of self-reflection

Noun

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

Definition of self-searching

Noun

This majestic sequence delivers a lifetime’s outpouring of love’s inadequacies and frustrations, of grief and regret, of gratitude along with candid acceptance of loss, and of self-questioning that never shakes the foundations of the family—her ferocious commitment to the children.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
After long periods of grief, reflection and painful self-questioning, most of the families interviewed by The Charlotte Observer no longer seem interested in reducing their children’s deaths to any one thing.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026

Definition of self-questioning

Noun

And the strategies our minds reach for in moments of doubt—retreat, control, relentless self-scrutiny—can work powerfully against us at the moments that matter most.

— Karyn Gallant, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
People committed to covenant cannot lose the capacity for moral self-scrutiny.

— Rabbi Josh Weinberg, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026

Definition of self-scrutiny

Browse Nearby Words

souls

soul-searching

soul-searchings

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“Soul-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soul-searching. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of soul-searching

noun

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