INTROSPECTIVE Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

introspective

adjective

Definition of introspective

as in contemplative

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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 introspective The red planet doesn’t care to journey through this Water sign — given its introspective and emotional nature — but that doesn’t mean it can’t be harnessed correctly. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 This free and fiery take on folk and indie pop could have benefitted from an edit that allowed its highlights to shine, but its deceptively soft, introspective parts are potent nonetheless. — Lina Lecaro, SPIN, 20 July 2026 After being a key to the victory of the Trojan War, Greek hero Odysseus (Matt Damon) goes to hell and back trying to get home to his wife (Anne Hathaway) and son (Tom Holland) in Nolan's brutal yet introspective adaptation of Homer's epic poem. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026 If anything, ages 14 through 19 were probably some of the most introspective times of my life. — Adam Messinger, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for introspective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for introspective

Adjective

The Sisters embody a unique culture of prayer, silence, solitude and community, living in a contemplative and cloistered order.

— Kelly Wilkinson, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2026
After that feral beginning, the rest of the album is mostly contemplative, wistful, and understated, amid cascading guitars and various sounds that are at times acoustic or gently swirling.

— Steve Appleford, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of contemplative

Adjective

The now-familiar blend of folk, soul, and psychedelia dominates the album aesthetically, though James took spiritual cues from recordings of meditative organ performances by Alice Coltrane.

— Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026
Hosted earlier this month, the sound bath was the first of two events in the museum’s new Mindfulness Mornings at the Museum series, where guests can experience a meditative practice in the iconic gallery before opening hours.

— Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of meditative

Adjective

In her later years, Parton solidified her legacy — as multimedia business titan, as a world-class entertainer, and as a brand — through a series of high-profile public appearances and retrospective projects.

— Stephen L. Betts, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
Data for prospective studies is collected in real time, while retrospective studies look back at medical records.

— Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of retrospective

Adjective

Tycho Crater is visible in the lower region of the lunar disk close to the shadow, while bright ejecta rays of reflective material brighten the darker lunar seas, where lava solidified to form basaltic plains billions of years ago.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Exhilarating, sublime, and unsettling, these installations—which often incorporate polka-dot balloons, pumpkins, LED lights, and soundtracks—immerse the viewer in infinite reflective surfaces, exploding even small spaces into an endless expanse.

— Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of reflective

Adjective

The result is a self-reflective collection of empowering pop anthems and wistful ballads that detail not only the dissolution of a relationship but a return to oneself.

— Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Political memoirs are rarely especially vulnerable or self-reflective.

— Julia Terruso, Time, 11 June 2026

Definition of self-reflective

Adjective

But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.

— Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 19 June 2026
Their ruminative hush sets them apart in an era of instant-gratification drops.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026

Definition of ruminative

Adjective

The angular build brings in thoughtful symmetry and lots of tabletop space to curate a varied display of coffee table books and knickknacks.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026
Ranjit Bawa, chief technology and ventures officer at Deloitte, also recommends giving employees autonomy to make thoughtful decisions around when to use AI.

— Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of thoughtful

Browse Nearby Words

introspections

introspective

introversion

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“Introspective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/introspective. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of introspective

adjective

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