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
In fact, Coogler switched one of two opening scenes inside a church used as a framing device from Ultra Panavision to IMAX because its soul-searching intensity was better suited for the format.
—
Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 19 Apr. 2025
Still, to see the pluralism pivot entirely as an exercise in covering your ass would miss the depth of the soul-searching that college presidents are doing.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
There’s a lot of soul-searching going on with Democrats right now.
—Kellen Browning, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
The party has spent the early months of the year soul-searching the causes of a bitter election defeat and fighting internally over how best to counter President Trump and his fierce effort to dismantle the traditional workings of Washington.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soul-searching
Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 19 Apr. 2025
Still, to see the pluralism pivot entirely as an exercise in covering your ass would miss the depth of the soul-searching that college presidents are doing.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
There’s a lot of soul-searching going on with Democrats right now.
—Kellen Browning, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
The party has spent the early months of the year soul-searching the causes of a bitter election defeat and fighting internally over how best to counter President Trump and his fierce effort to dismantle the traditional workings of Washington.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soul-searching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soul-searching
Noun
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Cudi helped bring about a shift to hip-hop by introducing moodiness, unconventionality and introspection to the genre, trends that still hold today and influenced West, said Shamira Ibrahim, a freelance culture writer.—
Deon J. Hampton,
NBC news,
22 May 2025
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Rutherford is an appealing leading lady, able to marry both Agathe’s seeming awkwardness (and some most excellent bits of physical humor) and her deep introspection into something fresh and flinty.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
Noun
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That kind of self-examination and honesty is uncomfortable.—
Lianne Lyne,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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In an album that is both unconventional and authentic – almost six years in the making – the artiste leans into soul self-examination with her friend and co-producer, Abdullah Siddiqui.—
Sonya Rehman,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This taps into the adolescent brain’s drive for autonomy and self-reflection.—
Cyndy Etler,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2025
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For musician Neal Francis, self-reflection makes for better jams.—
Sierra Vandervort,
Outside Online,
10 May 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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Each image can provoke conversation, contemplation and gratitude.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 May 2025
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The group committed to a lifestyle of poverty, along with a mix of contemplation and pastoral service.—
Patricia Mazzei,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Soul-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soul-searching. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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