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I'm looking for an adjective that means provoking introspection. Thought-provoking is close to the adjective I'm looking for but I would like a word that is more specific. Thought-provoking doesn't work since thought-provoking can lead to introspective thoughts but it can also lead to thinking about, for instance, politics.

Basically, I'm looking for an adjective that would describe a piece of work that causes a lot of introspective thoughts.

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  • I'm afraid I can't do any better than instrospective-provoking. But why not that?
    – WS2
    Feb 5, 2015 at 18:29
  • Introspection-provoking has too many syllables. I feel like there's got to be a better word but that may be the best we've got.
    – NewNameStat
    Feb 5, 2015 at 18:36
  • introvoking? (sometimes you gotta neologize...)
    – ermanen
    Feb 5, 2015 at 19:18

7 Answers 7

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Might the word be evocative: bringing thoughts, memories, or feelings into the mind; evoking or tending to evoke an especially emotional response.

  1. "settings... so evocative that they bring tears to the eyes" — Eric Malpass.

  2. He wrote a powerful and evocative biography.

  3. the Italian-American restaurant is decorated in a manner evocative of the charming outdoor cafés in Italy.

adverb: evocatively.

noun: evocativeness.

Synonyms: suggestive, reminiscent.

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The following behaviours suggest a search for introspection:

Soul-searching:

  • displaying the characteristics of deep self-analysis.

and self-analytical :

  • relating to or using self-analysis
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Thought-provoking (adjective): prompting serious thought; no synonymn

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  • Thought-provoking is close to the word I'm looking for but I would like a word that is more specific. Thought-provoking doesn't work since thought-provoking can lead to introspective thoughts but it can also lead to thinking about, for instance, politics.
    – NewNameStat
    Feb 5, 2015 at 18:32
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    ...and God forbid that anyone should think about politics!
    – Mauli Davidson
    Feb 5, 2015 at 18:36
  • That's not my point at all. If I tell someone, "this book was thought-provoking" it gives them no information as to what thoughts it provoked. I want a word that says "this book provoked introspective thoughts".
    – NewNameStat
    Feb 5, 2015 at 18:39
  • @NewNameStat Well why don't you say that?
    – WS2
    Feb 5, 2015 at 18:45
  • I could say that but I'm looking for a less-wordy version. Perhaps there isn't one though.
    – NewNameStat
    Feb 5, 2015 at 18:59
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"Reverie-inducing" could be used to describe something which casts you into a brown study.

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Perhaps contemplative

involving, allowing, or causing deep thought

Merriam-Webster

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Tending to promote self-reflection

self-reflection

noun: self-reflection: meditation or serious thought about one's character, actions, and motives

Google

Human self-reflection is the capacity of humans to exercise introspection and the willingness to learn more about their fundamental nature, purpose and essence. The earliest historical records demonstrate the great interest which humanity has had in itself. Human self-reflection invariably leads to inquiry into the human condition and the essence of humankind as a whole

Wikipedia

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  1. Reflect (in the right context) "The painting caused Gustav to reflect." Or "The painting reflected Gustav's feelings."
  2. It is not a well-known word, but it could lead you down a path to a word you do like: Pratyahara is a yogic practice of turning your attention inward.
  3. Challenging (again, context is important)

This is a tough one.

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