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
After some soul-searching, Ricciardo began to figure out what that word meant in his life.
—
Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Throughout these years, Ma began to feel an increasing sense of remorse at his complicity in this system, which sparked deeper soul-searching around his identity as a Muslim, and what that meant within Chinese society.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for soul-searching
Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Throughout these years, Ma began to feel an increasing sense of remorse at his complicity in this system, which sparked deeper soul-searching around his identity as a Muslim, and what that meant within Chinese society.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
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
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
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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McLarty and Walker shift from depressive introspection to giggling reminiscences.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
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The color symbolizes introspection, mental clarity, tranquility, open communication, and compassion.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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Yet her songs remain disarmingly human, meditating on desire, vulnerability, and self-examination.—
Marcus J. Moore,
Pitchfork,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Everyone experiences moments of existential despair, when one bad day or cataclysmic event sends you into a headspace that’s some combination of panic and self-reflection.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
3 May 2026
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In the meantime, amid the music, classes, and self-reflection, Bistline is building herself back one step at a time.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
3 May 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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Gold can be one option worth serious contemplation right now.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
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Art beckons at Rothko Chapel and The Menil Collection, quiet sanctuaries where light, color, and contemplation merge.—
Carrie Honaker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soul-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soul-searching. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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