soul-searching

noun

soul-search·​ing ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ 

: examination of one's conscience especially with regard to motives and values

Synonyms

• introspection
• self-contemplation
• self-examination
• self-observation
• self-questioning
• self-reflection
• self-scrutiny
• self-searching

Examples of soul-searching in a Sentence

after much soul-searching, they both realized that their marriage was essentially over

Recent Examples on the Web

As a party, Democrats were forced to do some soul-searching after losing the White House, House and Senate in the 2024 election. —Forbestv, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

The scale of Trump's triumph has sparked widespread soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong and how to rebuild. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025

Polls throughout the cycle showed Americans largely trusted the Republican over both ex-President Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris on economic issues, prompting Democratic soul-searching after their November losses. —Julia Mueller, The Hill, 19 Mar. 2025

That's an opportunity to do some soul-searching about the relationship itself. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for soul-searching

• researching
• lurching
• perching
• searching

Kids Definition

soul-searching

noun

soul-search·​ing

ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ

: examination of one's conscience and especially one's reasons and values