soul-searching

noun

soul-search·​ing ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ How to pronounce soul-searching (audio)
: examination of one's conscience especially with regard to motives and values

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The scale of the Republican Party's triumph in November—taking the White House, flipping the Senate, and maintaining control of the House—has sparked widespread soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong and how to rebuild. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 His soul-searching journey, played out on podcasts and talk shows, and attempts to moderate have rankled some of his allies in the Legislature, the labor movement and reproductive health care. Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025 Her speech will be watched closely by Democratic party insiders who are also soul-searching the future direction of their beleaguered party. Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 1 May 2025 At the same time, the soul-searching underway on the Democratic side demonstrates an uncertainty about what messaging and who should come next. Averi Harper, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for soul-searching

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of soul-searching was in 1924

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Cite this Entry

“Soul-searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soul-searching. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

soul-searching

noun
soul-search·​ing
ˈsōl-ˌsər-chiŋ
: examination of one's conscience and especially one's reasons and values
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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