introspect

American  

[in-truh-spekt] / ˌɪn trəˈspɛkt /

verb (used without object)

1. to practice introspection; consider one's own internal state or feelings.

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verb (used with object)

1. to look into or examine (one's own mind, feelings, etc.).

introspect British  

/ ˌɪntrəˈspɛkt /

verb

1. (intr) to examine and analyse one's own thoughts and feelings

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Other Word Forms

• introspection
  noun
• introspector
  noun
• introspectable
  adjective
• introspectible
  adjective
• introspective
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of introspect

First recorded in 1675–85; back formation from introspection

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

introspect

Not to go all Charlie Brown here – and yes, a Peanuts-themed fireplace exists on the Interwebs – but might we introspect about these commercialist and consumerist bells and whistles leading us astray?

From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2025

"Muslims should introspect why there's a sense of shortcomings within the community."

From BBC ● May 9, 2024

It also offers me a place to step back and introspect, minus the pressure of having answers.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 25, 2024

We introspect, for example, play narratives out in our heads and can imagine things that aren't even there.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 27, 2013

When we try to introspect the sensation of blue, all we can see is the blue; the other element is as if it were diaphanous.

From Essays in Radical Empiricism by William James