inwardness

noun

in·​ward·​ness ˈin-wərd-nəs 

1

: internal quality or substance

2

: close acquaintance : familiarity

3

: fundamental nature : essence

4

: absorption in one's own mental or spiritual life

Examples of inwardness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their socialism, its inwardness and self-sufficiency, was a way of incubating Hebrew. —Jordan Castro, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024

For all the closeups of her that Williams delivers, none of them have the pathos or the inwardness of the ones in which Lawrence drinks her in with his eyes while enduring the torment of his frustrated lust. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2023

This emphasis on inwardness is obviously a kind of Protestantism—in particular, the kind of dissenting spiritual enthusiasm to which all Protestantism inevitably leads. —James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023

The silent breakfasts give you a chance to start your day on a mindful note and practice the Augustinian Sisters’ longstanding tradition of dining quietly and embracing inwardness at mealtimes. —Joni Sweet, Forbes, 17 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1