as in self-exploration
the act or process of gaining knowledge or understanding of your abilities, character, and feelings
She was on a voyage of self-discovery.
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Recent Examples of self-discovery
For many fans — including plenty in the audience with neon green or pink hair — dyeing your own hair at home is part of self-discovery.
—
Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Ethan is on a path of self-discovery.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Girl Talk What could be remembered as a beautiful episode of self-discovery for Taylor is sabotaged by Dakota’s Machiavellian behavior.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
The tween years are a time of big emotions and self-discovery, and shows that reflect this can help kids feel seen and understood.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-discovery
Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Ethan is on a path of self-discovery.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Girl Talk What could be remembered as a beautiful episode of self-discovery for Taylor is sabotaged by Dakota’s Machiavellian behavior.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
The tween years are a time of big emotions and self-discovery, and shows that reflect this can help kids feel seen and understood.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-discovery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-discovery
- self-exploration
- self-realization
- self-actualization
- introspection
- meditation
- self-fulfillment
- soul-searching
- self-reflection
Noun
-
After a whole lot of angst and self-exploration.—
Tina Eves,
SPIN,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The exploration of others is simultaneously a self-exploration.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Post vague quotes about self-realization that are universal but ultimately mean nothing.—
Emily Menez,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
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His experiment in self-realization put him in a long line of spiritual seekers, and like innumerable young persons in every generation, he was actively engaged in evolving a design for living, drawing from sources near to and farther from home.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The adaptation stars Ella Bruccoleri as the eponymous Mary, who goes on a voyage of self-actualization in London.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
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His sociopathy is the logical extension of a homicidal ethos of self-actualization, self-realization, and self-care.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But these flexes are buoyed by wistful introspection.—
Harry Thorfinn-George,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
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Every Male Actor Gets A Role WWII movies are a hard genre to stand out in, but Malick succeeds through introspection, inspired by the novel’s study of character amidst brutal chaos.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The classes will include outdoors runs, strength, cardio, yoga and meditation but will not include workouts on the Peloton bike.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
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She’s written about everything from orgasmic meditation cults to the racist origins of the pandemic.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But this is a Norman Lear comedy after all (his last before passing in late 2023) — so by the end of the first episode, the hilarious sitcom has revealed its true interest in acceptance, forgiveness, and self-fulfillment.—
Michael Cuby,
Them.,
17 Nov. 2025
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And increasingly, women are choosing solitude and self-fulfillment over unsatisfying relationships.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Barnes met Imam in a moment of soul-searching.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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But thankfully, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are spared any such soul-searching.—
Lindsey Bahr,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But the two have made up after some self-reflection from Nagelsmann.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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These include psychotherapy that is inspired by the Quran, the teachings of the prophet and spiritual practices such as self-reflection, prayer and mindfulness.—
Anisah Bagasra,
The Conversation,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-discovery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-discovery. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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