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
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Recent Examples of soul-searching
And for all the soul-searching and probing, Conrad is well aware that kink can lead to comedy—up to a point.
—
Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
There is no way to tackle these questions without deep reflection and a great deal of soul-searching.
—Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
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
There will be a lot of soul-searching, a lot of social posts, a lot of hot takes as to what went wrong with Coach Prime’s third campaign.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soul-searching
Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
There is no way to tackle these questions without deep reflection and a great deal of soul-searching.
—Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
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
There will be a lot of soul-searching, a lot of social posts, a lot of hot takes as to what went wrong with Coach Prime’s third campaign.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soul-searching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soul-searching
- introspection
- self-examination
- self-reflection
- self-searching
- self-questioning
- self-scrutiny
- contemplation
Noun
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At the Fort Worth show, fans can expect a setlist that balances introspection with crowd-pleasing energy, delivered with the Neighbourhood’s signature dark-pop polish.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
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His off-the-cuff Mount Rushmore of Jeezy hits reads like a blueprint for the residency itself—tracks that span hunger, triumph, introspection, and dominance.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Yet her songs remain disarmingly human, meditating on desire, vulnerability, and self-examination.—
Marcus J. Moore,
Pitchfork,
5 Mar. 2026
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This 2-1 defeat is a blow and should prove a moment for self-examination for the club’s coaching staff and playing squad.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There’s always an excuse—and very little self-reflection—whereas forward-thinkers will approach setbacks by looking inward.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
19 Mar. 2026
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The former front man of the Smiths revisits familiar territory—his self-reflections, or, rather, complications, surrounding romance, fame, and politics.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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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Both of us have recently moved from denial to contemplation that AI will soon be in a position to replace us.—
J. Xavier Prochaska,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
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Tiffany approaches her projects with research and contemplation and then follows through with flawless details.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soul-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soul-searching. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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