self-awareness

noun

Definition of self-awarenessnext
as in self-consciousness
knowledge and awareness of your own personality or character Her self-awareness was unusual in such a young child.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of self-awareness At the same time, Jupiter’s opposition to Pluto retrograde reminds us that ambition without self-awareness can inevitably cloud our judgment, tempting us to overextend ourselves in the relentless pursuit of success. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 Academic administrator Joe O’Shea studied gap years and found that gap year alumni return with greater confidence, self-awareness and readiness for their next steps. — Dj Didonna, Time, 13 July 2026 The filmmaking, however, does not interrogate or even acknowledge Niki’s lack of self-awareness. — Elena Lazic, Variety, 11 July 2026 As Venus and Chiron harmonize, self-awareness is a gateway to self-expression. — Usa Today, USA Today, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-awareness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-awareness
  1. self-consciousness
  2. self-recognition
  3. self-analysis
  4. introspection
  5. self-reflection
  6. self-examination
  7. self-observation
  8. soul-searching
Noun
  • Four-hour rehearsal days, repetition until instinct replaces self-consciousness, and a certain surrender to imperfection.
    — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • That’s the opposite of collective uniformity, where you’re so overcome by self-consciousness and insecurity.
    — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 1 July 2026
Definition of self-consciousness
Noun
  • According to a new study published in PLOS One, both animals show the behavioral hallmarks of mirror self-recognition—a cognitive ability long considered a marker of self-awareness, and one that had never before been documented in beluga whales.
    — Federica Sgorbissa, ArsTechnica, 24 May 2026
  • Research from Frontiers in Neurology and Neuroscience links susceptibility to contagious yawning with theory of mind, self-recognition and activation of brain regions associated with social cognition and empathy.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of self-recognition
Noun
  • For aspiring owners, self-analysis of one’s personality, financial status, goals and life experiences should become the foundation for future choices.
    — Angelo Chavez, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
  • Bait, the new Prime Video miniseries Ahmed created, wrote, and stars in, is both an exercise in self-analysis and an interrogation of it, a breakneck romp through farce, satire, thriller, family drama, and romantic walk-and-talk that transforms itself in each of its six episodes.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of self-analysis
Noun
  • Leaders with curiosity who ask deeper questions, seek new perspectives and pause for introspection will be in great demand.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Then came Lyrics for Sanity and The Sunrise Project, on which Songer reached new levels of poetic introspection.
    — Sam Davies, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2026
Definition of introspection
Noun
  • Organizational self-reflection will always lead to progress when paired with a willingness to improve.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Parents don’t need to feel guilty if their teens aren’t constantly busy—unstructured time can foster self-reflection and relaxation.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 16 July 2026
Definition of self-reflection
Noun
  • Prior to the age of 40, your annual OB-GYN exam and regular self-examination is the baseline for screening for anything suspicious; after the age of 40, an annual mammogram is recommended for additional imaging.
    — Nicole Pajer, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
  • When creating the novel, Akil was inspired by the collective interest in self-examination and the interior self.
    — Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of self-examination
Noun
  • The purpose of this exercise is not to match your paradigm perfectly but to give you a thematic lens for self-observation.
    — Liz Tran, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Anyone who has tracked their daily steps or worn a glucose monitor can testify that self-observation works.
    — Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
Definition of self-observation
Noun
  • While resilience was the catchphrase of the first quarter among bank CEOs, the latest blowout quarter may be prompting a bit of soul-searching.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 16 July 2026
  • But defeat left Koeman looking powerless and the Netherlands in need of new energy and new ideas as thoughts turn to the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign and an increasingly familiar period of soul-searching for Dutch football.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of soul-searching

Browse Nearby Words

self-assuredness
self-awareness
self-belt
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Cite this Entry

“Self-awareness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-awareness. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on self-awareness

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about self-awareness

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