introspection

[ in-truh-spek-shuhn ]

noun

1. observation or examination of one's own mental and emotional state, mental processes, etc.; the act of looking within oneself.

   Synonyms: soul-searching, self-examination

2. the tendency or disposition to do this.
3. sympathetic introspection.

introspection

/ ˌɪntrəˈspɛkʃən /

noun

1. the examination of one's own thoughts, impressions, and feelings, esp for long periods

Derived Forms

• ˌintroˈspectional, adjective
• ˌintroˈspectively, adverb
• ˌintroˈspectionist, noun
• ˌintroˈspectiveness, noun

Other Words From

• intro·spection·al adjective
• intro·spection·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of introspection¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Latin intrōspect(us) “looked within” (past participle of intrōspicere “to look within,” from intrō- intro- + -spicere, combining form of specere “to see, observe, look”) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of introspection¹

C17: from Latin intrōspicere to look within, from intro- + specere to look

Example Sentences

Easily discomfited when danced into corners from which the only escape is introspection.

From Salon

"We have systems in place to prevent that from happening and those haven’t worked so we ned to understand why and that might require some introspection from the industry."

From BBC

She is averse to public introspection, spending far more time in her memoir reciting autobiographical details than dissecting them.

From Los Angeles Times

So candid introspection is in a category of now or never.

From Salon

A highly successful but nomadic career exacerbated that isolation, while self-doubt and introspection played on a troubled mind.

From BBC

Related Words

• contemplation
• meditation
• reflection
• scrutiny
• self-examination
• soul-searching