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Showing results for soul-searching. Search instead for soul+searching.
Synonyms

soul-searching

American  
[sohl-sur-ching] / ˈsoʊlˌsɜr tʃɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act or process of close and penetrating analysis of oneself, to determine one's true motives and sentiments.

soul-searching British  

noun

  1. deep or critical examination of one's motives, actions, beliefs, etc

"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

adjective

  1. displaying the characteristics of deep or painful self-analysis

"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

Etymology

Origin of soul-searching

First recorded in 1605–15

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.

Meanwhile Jonte Richardson, who was on the Bafta emerging talent judging panel, has said he is stepping down from that role "after considerable soul-searching".

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

Hellerstein’s friend and former law partner, Joel Cohen, said the judge wouldn’t have decided to stay on the case without his usual soul-searching.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

Countries will be trying to make sense of the daring U.S. raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, prompting a lot of geopolitical soul-searching this week.

From Barron's • Jan. 5, 2026

The Lakers underwent some soul-searching at practice Saturday, with coach JJ Redick starting the conversation before allowing players to speak freely about the team’s issues.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2025

King’s advisors argued and pleaded with him, but he was done soul-searching.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

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.