INTROSPECTIVE Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

introspective

adjective

Definition of introspective

as in contemplative

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of introspective Funny Little Fears, his 2025 debut, revealed a more introspective side of his songwriting. — Chiara Barzini, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026 And, really, what [emo] meant to us was being introspective with your lyrics and talking about your own personal struggles and your own personal pain and your feelings of yearning and stuff like that, instead of fighting external forces. — Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2026 Sabai draws on melodic bass, future house and pop, and his songs move between high-energy moments and introspective listening. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2026 Did celebrated Italian auteur Nanni Moretti, known at home and abroad for his leftist political satires and introspective human comedies, just make his first straight-up soap opera? — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for introspective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for introspective

Adjective

Her honeyed vocals are a powerful pairing for this track’s lilting, contemplative production.

— Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
And in Walworth County, travelers will find more of that contemplative, fall experience, according to Emma Lowecki, director of guest experience at The Belfry House.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of contemplative

Adjective

Through a meditative duet between the performer’s cognition and their autonomic nervous system, activities that were largely imperceptible to an outside observer became known to the performer.

— Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Guides recommend doing it three or more times to settle into a more meditative state of mind.

— Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of meditative

Adjective

But Chee’s first-person, present-tense narration differs from most in being, in a seeming paradox, retrospective.

— Garth Greenwell, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
At the conclusion of the film, Boyle will return to the stage and join yours truly for an hourlong career-retrospective conversation that will be recorded for subsequent airing on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast.

— Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of retrospective

Adjective

This in-shower treatment smooths the cuticle for reflective, glass-like shine, leaving strands softer, silkier, and ultra-glossy in just one minute.

— Madison San Miguel, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
De Baise explained that this is reflective of a popular footwear trend of the ’90s, a decade Vaccarello is widely known to be aesthetically attached to.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of reflective

Adjective

Making Kansas City a destination Williams describes her comedy as self-reflective, drawing from her own experiences to tell stories audiences can connect with.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
The result is a self-reflective collection of empowering pop anthems and wistful ballads that detail not only the dissolution of a relationship but a return to oneself.

— Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of self-reflective

Adjective

Set on the eve of the Korean war, this ruminative story follows a midwestern family that’s fractured by a mother’s sudden disappearance.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2026
But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.

— Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 19 June 2026

Definition of ruminative

Adjective

The service Enthusiastic, thoughtful, and caring, the service here is warm and heartfelt.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
As Toby Ziegler and Josiah Bartlett could tell you, the only way to change is the world is with a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of thoughtful

Browse Nearby Words

introspections

introspective

introversion

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“Introspective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/introspective. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of introspective

adjective

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