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
A droll moment of introspection is offered when Gordon disfigures his face with tape.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 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
Ms. Smith, by contrast, was less about shock and volume and more concerned with merging introspection, darkness and poetry.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025
But introspection gives us far more insight into the ways of other humans than into those of dinosaurs.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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.
