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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Princess of Power offers playful, euphoric pop tinged with deeper introspection about growing older.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
3 June 2025
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Timing an exit process for a business requires introspection, strategic planning, and thoughtful preparation, while accounting for a host of internal and external parameters.—
Jeffrey Johnston,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Noun
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This self-examination seems glib (whereas del Toro was actually more affecting as the desperate artist in The French Dispatch).—
Armond White,
National Review,
30 May 2025
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Take a cue from the pros and make time for self-examination.—
Janine Schindler,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 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,
5 June 2025
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His soul-searching journey, played out on podcasts and talk shows, and attempts to moderate have rankled some of his allies in the Legislature, the labor movement and reproductive health care.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Emotional regulation, self-reflection and the ability to derive meaning from experiences are fundamental to effective leadership.—
Maureen Metcalf,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Moments of self-reflection may lead you to reassess professional goals.—
Essence,
Essence,
2 June 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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The words in the video montages and the quiet periods of contemplation as supporters, some with tears in their eyes, struggle to pull themselves away from their seats.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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For those who are so inclined, combining daily self-reflection with meditative experiences such as attending retreats invites contemplation of deeper spiritual or existential questions.—
Harry Kraemer,
Forbes.com,
12 May 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 15 Jun. 2025.
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