as in introspection
examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
she doesn't seem to see the difference between a reasonable amount of self-contemplation and total self-absorption
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Recent Examples of self-contemplation
After the eclipse wraps, the Sun doubles down on the compulsion toward self-contemplation in partnership with Lilith.
—
Jennifer Culp, Them, 27 Sep. 2024
Missing from the fair but important nonetheless is Hsiao Chin, the first and only post-war Chinese artist to convey Eastern philosophical ideas and the concepts of mindfulness and self-contemplation in the Western pictorial language of abstraction.
—Florence Tsai, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023
Jennifer Culp, Them, 27 Sep. 2024
Missing from the fair but important nonetheless is Hsiao Chin, the first and only post-war Chinese artist to convey Eastern philosophical ideas and the concepts of mindfulness and self-contemplation in the Western pictorial language of abstraction.
—Florence Tsai, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-contemplation
Noun
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It was thought that the simple last scene of Tom readying Ethan’s bedroom and giving the always subtly expressive Ruffalo a moment of quiet introspection would do the trick.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
23 Oct. 2025
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Even then, there’s still room for some introspection on the record.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Also, of course, I am handicapped by knowing that this couldn’t be printed in the foreseeable future, and by the fact that contemplation of this material has become painful.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
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The exhibitions, abstract by design, are an invitation to contemplation.—
Diana Hubbell,
Saveur,
16 Oct. 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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The book’s journey through the brain ends at the frontal pole, a region involved in self-reflection — thinking about thinking.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
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Awareness activities encourage self-reflection and can include activities like a body scan, breathing exercises, or journaling.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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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The embarrassment led to soul-searching, both for him and his team.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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What Happens Next There would seem to be little hope for a more civil political discourse, despite the soul-searching and appeals on both sides, especially in the run-up to next year’s midterms.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-contemplation. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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