Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

inner-directed

American  
[in-er-di-rek-tid, -dahy-] / ˈɪn ər dɪˈrɛk tɪd, -daɪ- /

adjective

  1. guided by internalized values rather than external pressures.


inner-directed British  

adjective

  1. guided by one's own conscience and values rather than external pressures to conform Compare other-directed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of inner-directed

First recorded in 1945–50

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.

The inner-directed aesthetic concerns a queen’s personal identity.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2023

Others are more inner-directed and seem to be able to tune everything out.

From Washington Post • Jul. 8, 2021

Day-Lewis has always suggested an actor in isolation, not just because of his fondness for remaining in character throughout the filming process but because he seems so inner-directed, debating not the other actors but himself.

From Time • Nov. 8, 2012

The song cycle is inner-directed, as if Mr. Paterson, Mr. Berkowitz and Ms. Meeds could read his mind as he stood on the plate.

From New York Times • Feb. 29, 2012

Here is a modern tale of an inner-directed sorcerer and an outer-directed sorcerer’s apprentice … a tale of—

From The Creature from Cleveland Depths by Leiber, Fritz

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "inner-directed" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com