self-examination
Americannoun
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examination into one's own state, conduct, motives, etc.
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Medicine/Medical. examination of one's body for signs of illness or disease.
breast self-examination.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of self-examination
First recorded in 1640–50
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.
Redzepi says the allegations have prompted years of self-examination.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
In all of my years of self-examination — and in writing this very piece — I’ve come to determine that I’m resistant to anyone projecting their definitions or ideas of gayness onto me.
From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2026
A report last week by Yale University contains a surprising dose of self-examination that dares to agree with what many of its critics have been saying for years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 19, 2026
Start to finish, “Reality Check” is an exercise in self-examination and culpability.
From Salon ● Feb. 20, 2026
Introspec′tion, a sight of the inside or interior: the act of directly observing the processes of one's own mind, self-examination; Introspec′tionist.—adj.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
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.
