Synonyms

introspective

American

[in-truh-spek-tiv] / ˌɪn trəˈspɛk tɪv /

adjective

characterized by introspection, the act or process of looking into oneself.

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.

But it’s poignantly introspective on tracks like “What Is Left to Say” and “I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Silverman said Meta's leadership seemed initially unsure how to respond to toxic content on the platform and there was a period of time when the company was "genuinely introspective".

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

In the former he proved compellingly contemplative and introspective, while in the latter he established an impressive arc, growing from unleashing unbounded, extroverted dimensions to embodying crumpled dejection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

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

Three days passed: after them, Ray Gusdorf quietly emerged from the Midnight Mountains a different human being—mature, introspective, curiously subdued.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023