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Definition of "soul-searching" [soul-searching]

  • A penetrating examination of one's motives, convictions, and attitudes. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "soul-searching" in a sentence
  • ""There is no established frontrunner or heir apparent to the party, and part of that I think is because the Republican Party has been engaged for some time now in what I would characterize as soul-searching in terms of the direction of the party moving forward," he said."
  • "In Japan, 3-11 and its ensuing nuclear crisis have prompted soul-searching, and that is itself a debate about Japanese national identity."
  • "There, his sacrifice saved the Earth, and prompted all manner of soul-searching."