as in introspection
examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
so consumed with self-questioning that he was virtually paralyzed by self-doubt
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as in self-reflective
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Recent Examples of self-questioning
Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
But users can instruct it to be tentative, hesitant, self-questioning or even deliberately clumsy.
—Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-questioning
- introspection
- self-reflective
- soul-searching
- diffident
- self-reflection
- self-examination
- self-observation
- self-scrutiny
Noun
-
Barker shows him no mercy for his actions, but leaves the door open to darker introspection.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Full of big, shouty drill sergeants, lovable characters and deep introspection, the series is earnest and refreshing.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Not only does the AI need to do this in terms of what the user is saying, but the AI needs to be self-reflective as well.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
During a recent interview in Rolling Stone, Murph was guarded but self-reflective.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
Noun
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The movie follows actor Mike Tyler (Chris Evans), who is attempting a comeback after a personal crisis and subsequent soul-searching.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Clooney, 64, plays the titular character, a famous movie star on a soul-searching journey throughout Europe with his manager (played by Sandler, 58).—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In the new film Hot Milk, the sensual but diffident 20-something Sofia (Emma Mackey) travels with her invalid mother, Rose (Fiona Shaw), to the Mediterranean shores of Spain in search of an experimental cure for the latter’s (possibly hypochondriac) illness.—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
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Today, they’re considered all-time greats, geniuses of melody and tension and originators of the diffident, philosophical mode that came to dominate American guitar rock in the new century.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
Noun
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As school systems recalibrate how young people relate to their devices, forward-thinking business leaders can mirror this shift by creating environments where deep thinking, self-reflection and regulation, and authentic collaboration are once again the norm.—
Elan Gepner-Dales,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
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First, use assessments like CliftonStrengths or self-reflection to uncover your unique talents.—
Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mother’s turbulent self-examination is incited by the revelation of Sister Agnieszka’s pregnancy in the film’s first Act.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
27 Aug. 2025
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This disciplined self-examination is the foundation for refining skills and advancing toward mastery.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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There are three invitations leaders can offer their direct reports: Play with the technology as a tool for self-observation.—
Michael Hudson,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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Anyone who has tracked their daily steps or worn a glucose monitor can testify that self-observation works.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes,
7 Oct. 2024
Noun
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In a foundational study, it was found that companies professing a strong belief in meritocracy were more likely to reward men over equally performing women because the belief in objectivity ironically reduces self-scrutiny in decisions, giving managers subconscious permission to act on stereotypes.—
Heather Price,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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Few other nations are as prone to self-scrutiny and self-criticism, or as engaged in impassioned discourse on the nature of liberty and democracy without fear of governmental repression.—
Kenneth Lasson,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-questioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-questioning. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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