Thesaurus results for SOUL-SEARCHING

soul-searching

noun

ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ

Definition of soul-searching

as in introspection

examination of one's own thoughts and feelings after much soul-searching, they both realized that their marriage was essentially over

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 soul-searching This month is basically like a bridge between the tumultuousness of August’s eclipses and the soul-searching that October’s Venus Retrograde will bring. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 There was a lot of soul-searching on my part for all of the right songs. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026 So ensues a period of delirious soul-searching, given tremendous gravitas by Bakhtadze. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026 Demanding more immediate attention is the discovery of elevated triglycerides, prompting immediate dietary soul-searching. — Ken Gawrych, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for soul-searching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soul-searching

Noun

And the disturbing oscillations are a journey from uncertainty to insight, a train ride from introspection to moral resolution.

— Ben Corn, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026
Yom Kippur, which is coming on Monday, is the most solemn time on the Jewish calendar, is a day of introspection, self-examination, self-evaluation, and self-reflection.

— Marc Schneier, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of introspection

Noun

Pausing to look means being willing to see what is not working, and such honest self-examination is uncomfortable in a way most of us don’t seek out voluntarily.

— Bill Koch, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Yom Kippur, which is coming on Monday, is the most solemn time on the Jewish calendar, is a day of introspection, self-examination, self-evaluation, and self-reflection.

— Marc Schneier, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of self-examination

Noun

From there, Shaikh began to challenge Daniel on his Islamist views and to guide him toward self-reflection and accountability.

— Jeff Winter, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026
Yom Kippur, which is coming on Monday, is the most solemn time on the Jewish calendar, is a day of introspection, self-examination, self-evaluation, and self-reflection.

— Marc Schneier, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of self-reflection

Noun

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
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

Definition of self-searching

Noun

Fielder’s portrait of Holmes and his display of his methods turn his questioning to self-questioning, forcing him to assess, and even revise, basic assumptions about her and about life in general.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
After long periods of grief, reflection and painful self-questioning, most of the families interviewed by The Charlotte Observer no longer seem interested in reducing their children’s deaths to any one thing.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026

Definition of self-questioning

Noun

And the strategies our minds reach for in moments of doubt—retreat, control, relentless self-scrutiny—can work powerfully against us at the moments that matter most.

— Karyn Gallant, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
People committed to covenant cannot lose the capacity for moral self-scrutiny.

— Rabbi Josh Weinberg, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026

Definition of self-scrutiny

Noun

Walking and talking with an AI fellow pilgrim Which brings me back to the Kumano Kodo in Japan, where contemplation is a key element of the traditional experience.

— Shay Rabineau, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
She was accepted into the convent at the age of 36, and led a life of prayer and contemplation.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of contemplation

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soul-searching

soul-searchings

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“Soul-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soul-searching. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of soul-searching

noun

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