introspective
adjective
in·tro·spec·tive
ˌin-trə-ˈspek-tiv 
: characterized by examination of one's own thoughts and feelings : thoughtfully reflective : employing, marked by, or tending to introspection
As a student, he was very quiet and introspective.
… encouraging a balance between the fast, upbeat songs and a band's more introspective side.—
David T. Lindsay
David T. LindsayThere's an interesting literature that suggests that when people are sad, they tend to pay attention to themselves. They become withdrawn and introspective and very aware of their body and their mind and not very aware of the external world.—Peter Salovey
Peter Salovey
introspectively
adverb
This whole episode set me thinking introspectively, and led me gradually but imperatively to self-analysis—not of powers, but of motives.
—Bram Stoker
Bram Stoker
introspectiveness
noun
Introversion is too often considered a sign of weakness when it should instead be an indication of strength, and associated with thoughtfulness, introspectiveness and independence.
—Jasmine Tatah
Jasmine Tatah
Examples of introspective in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This work is often dismissed as introspective or indulgent.
—Suzanne Roske, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
In the introspective song, narrator and protagonist Mark Cohen — portrayed on Broadway by Anthony Rapp — sings about all the events of the show leading up to that moment, including the death of his friend Angel.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper is known for his introspective lyrics that tackle political and social themes.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 16 May 2026
While Kendrick Lamar was conquering the hip-hop world, Rashad was honing an introspective style inspired by Southern hip-hop pioneers like Lil Wayne and OutKast.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for introspective
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.
Suzanne Roske, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
In the introspective song, narrator and protagonist Mark Cohen — portrayed on Broadway by Anthony Rapp — sings about all the events of the show leading up to that moment, including the death of his friend Angel.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper is known for his introspective lyrics that tackle political and social themes.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 16 May 2026
While Kendrick Lamar was conquering the hip-hop world, Rashad was honing an introspective style inspired by Southern hip-hop pioneers like Lil Wayne and OutKast.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for introspective
Cite this Entry
“Introspective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/introspective. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
