introspective
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- introspectively adverb
- introspectiveness noun
- nonintrospective adjective
- nonintrospectively adverb
- nonintrospectiveness noun
- unintrospective adjective
- unintrospectively adverb
Etymology
Origin of introspective
First recorded in 1800–10; from Latin intrōspect(us), past participle of intrōspicere “to look within” + -ive ( def. ); introspection ( def. )
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.
Housel: I hope they become more introspective and more willing to look in the mirror and ask what genuinely works for them, even if it’s totally different from what social media tells them to want.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 21, 2026
Formed in the early 2010s, BTS were at the forefront of popularising K-pop with mainstream audiences in the west, thanks to their energetic blend of slick dance pop and hip-hop, and surprisingly introspective lyrics.
From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026
Beyond that, Hopkins prefers to avoid “an introspective analysis.”
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025
He is an introspective person, she says, and is willing to challenge his own ideas, including the ones he put forth when creating the company.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025
It was a relief when the Guards had pounded out of sight and the rest could resume their introspective trudging.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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.
