Definition

Noun: 1. The act of examining one's own thoughts, feelings, motives, and behavior: A careful and honest reflection on one's personal character, actions, and conscience. 2. Introspection: The process of looking inward to understand oneself better, often for the purpose of personal growth, moral evaluation, or spiritual development.

Usage

"Self-examination" is a formal noun. It describes a deliberate, thoughtful process. It is often used in contexts related to psychology, ethics, religion, and personal development. It is typically an uncountable noun (e.g., "engage in self-examination").

Examples

• Noun:
  • Regular self-examination is crucial for personal growth.
  • After the argument, he engaged in a period of painful self-examination.
  • The philosopher believed that self-examination was the path to true wisdom.

Advanced Usage

• "A period of self-examination": A specific, often extended, time dedicated to introspection.
  • The retreat was a time for quiet reflection and self-examination.
• "To engage in self-examination": To actively and consciously undertake this introspective process.
  • The crisis forced the company's leadership to engage in serious self-examination.

Variants and Related Words

• Self-examine (verb, rare): To perform self-examination. (Note: This is a back-formation and is less common than the noun phrase "to examine oneself").
• Introspection (noun): A close synonym, often used interchangeably, though "introspection" can be more general or psychological.
• Soul-searching (noun): A more informal and emotionally charged synonym, implying a deep and difficult quest for truth about oneself.

Synonyms

• Introspection
• Self-reflection
• Self-scrutiny
• Soul-searching
• Self-analysis

Antonyms

• Self-ignorance
• Unawareness
• Thoughtlessness

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To look inward": To engage in self-examination or introspection.
  • Instead of blaming others, it's time to look inward.
• "To examine one's conscience": A specific type of self-examination focused on moral or ethical conduct.
  • Before making the decision, she took a moment to examine her conscience.

Noun

1. the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct