introspection
Americannoun
-
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
-
the tendency or disposition to do this.
noun
Other Word Forms
- introspectional adjective
- introspectionist noun
- introspectively adverb
- introspectiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of introspection
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For all his introspection, Dunk wrongfully justifies his own survival as a transaction — a king-to-be traded for a commoner.
From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026
Raducanu has just suffered one of the most demoralising Grand Slam defeats of her career, mitigated by an off-season beset by a foot injury, with seemingly more introspection about where she is heading.
From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026
Lincoln taught us that in our aspirations for “enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union” we must cultivate gratitude for our blessings and the introspection needed for improvement.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025
Stripped back for the most part to just voice and piano, it’s an earnest work of introspection from a guy who knows how to make tenderness feel like strength.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2025
When it was over, he remained still, in profound introspection.
From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
