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Meaning & use

navel-gazing

noun, adjective·Advanceddisapprovinginformal

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UK/ˈneɪvl ˌɡeɪzɪŋ/
US/ˈneɪvl ˌɡeɪzɪŋ/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. noununcountabledisapprovinginformal

    the habit of thinking or talking too much about yourself and your own feelings instead of acting or looking outward

    Grammar: Uncountable: navel-gazing, not 'a navel-gazing'.

    Patterns

    • a lot of navel-gazing
    • accused of navel-gazing
    • endless navel-gazing

    Critics dismissed the conference as academic navel-gazing.

    The company spent months in navel-gazing instead of fixing its products.

    Her memoir avoids navel-gazing and tells a wider story.

  2. adjectivebefore a noundisapprovinginformal

    too focused on your own thoughts and feelings rather than on the world around you

    Grammar: Used before a noun: a navel-gazing article.

    Patterns

    • a navel-gazing article
    • navel-gazing discussion
    • navel-gazing culture

    The paper published a navel-gazing piece about its own staff.

    He grew tired of the navel-gazing culture in the department.

Common combinations

academic navel-gazing
The review called the study academic navel-gazing.
endless navel-gazing
Endless navel-gazing delayed the decision.
accused of navel-gazing
The board was accused of navel-gazing while sales fell.
a bit of navel-gazing
A bit of navel-gazing can help, but only if you act afterward.

Synonyms and how they differ

self-absorption
'Self-absorption' is a more neutral, formal term for being wrapped up in yourself; 'navel-gazing' is informal and clearly critical.
introspection
'Introspection' is a neutral, even positive word for examining your own thoughts; 'navel-gazing' suggests this has gone too far.
self-indulgence
'Self-indulgence' means giving in to your own desires generally, while 'navel-gazing' is specifically about dwelling on your own thoughts.

Opposites

outward-looking

Word family

navel noun
the small hollow in the middle of the stomach
gaze verb
to look steadily at something for a long time

Commonly confused: navel-gazing or stargazing?

navel-gazing vs stargazing

'Stargazing' means watching stars, and can also mean daydreaming; 'navel-gazing' is about self-absorbed thinking.

Practice

The report was criticized for being ___ instead of offering practical ideas.

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