as in introspection
examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
not one for self-scrutiny, the president was known for never looking back or second-guessing himself
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Recent Examples of self-scrutiny
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
Above all, Raisman is working on breaking free from a vicious cycle of self-scrutiny.
—Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024
Since my teens, a tendency to spiral into a tornado of self-scrutiny and expecting the absolute worst to happen have been toxic friends of mine.
—Emma Firth, Vogue, 14 Nov. 2023
Kenneth Lasson, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2025
Above all, Raisman is working on breaking free from a vicious cycle of self-scrutiny.
—Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024
Since my teens, a tendency to spiral into a tornado of self-scrutiny and expecting the absolute worst to happen have been toxic friends of mine.
—Emma Firth, Vogue, 14 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-scrutiny
- introspection
- self-examination
- soul-searching
- self-reflection
- self-observation
- contemplation
- self-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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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 widespread soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong and how to rebuild.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
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Her speech will be watched closely by Democratic party insiders who are also soul-searching the future direction of their beleaguered party.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
1 May 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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There are three invitations leaders can offer their direct reports: Play with the technology as a tool for self-observation.—
Michael Hudson,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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Anyone who has tracked their daily steps or worn a glucose monitor can testify that self-observation works.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes,
7 Oct. 2024
Noun
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These philosophies manifest in Benesse House's deliberate restraint—spaces designed for contemplation rather than excessive comfort and convenience.—
Ryan Craggs,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2025
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This may require some solo contemplation, dialogue with friends, therapy or journaling.—
Shannon Carpenter,
CNN Money,
18 Apr. 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
Cite this Entry
“Self-scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-scrutiny. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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