as in introspection
examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
after much soul-searching, they both realized that their marriage was essentially over
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Recent Examples of soul-searching
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 widespread soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong and how to rebuild.
—
Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
His soul-searching journey, played out on podcasts and talk shows, and attempts to moderate have rankled some of his allies in the Legislature, the labor movement and reproductive health care.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Her speech will be watched closely by Democratic party insiders who are also soul-searching the future direction of their beleaguered party.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
At the same time, the soul-searching underway on the Democratic side demonstrates an uncertainty about what messaging and who should come next.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soul-searching
Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
His soul-searching journey, played out on podcasts and talk shows, and attempts to moderate have rankled some of his allies in the Legislature, the labor movement and reproductive health care.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Her speech will be watched closely by Democratic party insiders who are also soul-searching the future direction of their beleaguered party.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
At the same time, the soul-searching underway on the Democratic side demonstrates an uncertainty about what messaging and who should come next.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soul-searching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soul-searching
Noun
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Each of the disciples have their own secrets to bear, life taking them on some brutal pathways, the piece leaning into powerful introspection.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
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Decades of introspection have ultimately led her to look out.—
Book Marks
June 26,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Constellation should use this black eye as an opportunity for brutally honest self-examination.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2025
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This self-examination seems glib (whereas del Toro was actually more affecting as the desperate artist in The French Dispatch).—
Armond White,
National Review,
30 May 2025
Noun
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The film follows Li, a screenwriter played by Shim, who embarks on a journey of self-reflection following a chance meeting with Benzo.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
8 July 2025
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July will be a whirlwind of change and self-reflection for you, Aries.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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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
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Above all, Raisman is working on breaking free from a vicious cycle of self-scrutiny.—
Katie Camero,
USA TODAY,
29 Feb. 2024
Noun
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Too much isolation can lead someone askew—ask the Unabomber—but this kind of solitary contemplation offers a retreat from social pressures.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
24 June 2025
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Designed by Frida Escobedo, the plaza features seating and a reflecting pool with a fog effect, and doubles as both a gathering spot and place of serene contemplation within the enclave.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Soul-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soul-searching. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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