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
But his win has sparked a wave of GOP attacks and triggered a fresh round of soul-searching among Democrats.
—
Nik Popli, Time, 26 June 2025
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 soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong and how to rebuild.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Democrat Kamala Harris’ November loss to Republican Donald Trump has left the party rudderless and sparked a round of soul-searching about the path forward.
—James Oliphant, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Democrats went through similar soul-searching after presidential losses in 1984 and 1988.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for soul-searching
Nik Popli, Time, 26 June 2025
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 soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong and how to rebuild.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Democrat Kamala Harris’ November loss to Republican Donald Trump has left the party rudderless and sparked a round of soul-searching about the path forward.
—James Oliphant, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Democrats went through similar soul-searching after presidential losses in 1984 and 1988.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for soul-searching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soul-searching
Noun
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Nara's more recent paintings, such as Midnight Tears (2023), feature tender, fragmented brushwork that radiates introspection.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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This reduction in sensory input can promote deep introspection and emotional clarity.—
Victoria Malloy,
Outside Online,
21 July 2025
Noun
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Blight argues persuasively that Douglass’s eloquence transformed the speech into an enduring historical marker — a profound moment of national self-examination that reverberates across generations.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
4 July 2025
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For me, Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter, is about periodic self-examination, reflection, and a deep look at life with intention and commitment to live forward with greater meaning.—
Walt Shelton,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Taking time for self-reflection can help individuals envision a future life beyond their primary working years, transforming retirement from a distant, abstract destination into a familiar stop on life’s journey.—
Wes Moss,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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Following the loss, Sabalenka tried to focus her remarks on self-reflection and moving forward.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
11 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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In its own way, the film is also a contemplation of recollections, memory and post-Yugoslav reality.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
3 June 2025
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These works demand contemplation, offering not just spectacle but urgent commentary.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Soul-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soul-searching. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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