heart-searching

[ hahrt-sur-ching ]
See synonyms for heart-searching on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a thorough examination of one's feelings and motives; a self-examination of one's conscience.

Origin of heart-searching

1
First recorded in 1640–50; heart + searching

Other words from heart-searching

  • heart-searcher, noun

Words Nearby heart-searching

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use heart-searching in a sentence

  • Actually, after much heart searching and head scratching, my mind has made itself up and has gone home by cable to-day.

  • The time of the sharpening of the sword is the time for His people to trim their lamps, for earnest heart-searching and prayer.

    The Prophet Ezekiel | Arno C. Gaebelein
  • After a time of great heart-searching and deep spiritual experience, he was led to embrace the Christian faith, and was baptized.

    Some Jewish Witnesses For Christ | Rev. A. Bernstein, B.D.
  • There were times of heart-searching and crying out to God, which showed that His Spirit was still at work in their hearts.

    South and South Central Africa | H. Frances Davidson
  • It took a great deal of bitter heart searching for the conscientious early slave-holders to settle this question.

    The Negro in the South | Booker T. Washington

British Dictionary definitions for heart-searching

heart-searching

noun
  1. examination of one's feelings or conscience

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012