soul-searching

noun

No English definition recorded for this entry.

Pronunciation: /ˈsəʊlsəːtʃɪŋ/ / /ˈsoʊlˌsəɹtʃɪŋ/

Etymology: From soul + searching; the noun is derived from the adjective.

Involving probing introspection, or a critical consideration of one's conscience, especially motives and values.
“Fortune had showered upon him gifts unlooked for; had enabled him, had he been blessed with prudence, to keep the path where he could have been free from ostentatious obligation, on the one hand, and soul searching mortification on the other: but, like an improvident spendthrift, he had lavished away in the fever of indiscretion, the gifts she had bestowed with so liberal a hand; […]”
“His face is fair, rather oval, his eye dark, soft and bashful, glows with a soul-searching kindness; […]”

Etymology: From soul + searching; the noun is derived from the adjective.

Probing introspection; a critical consideration of one's conscience; also, an instance of such consideration.
“After much soul-searching I decided to confess.”
“You’d better do some serious soul-searching before you decide to leave her.”

Etymology: From soul + searching; the noun is derived from the adjective.