Inwardness
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Inwardness is a noun meaning The characteristic of being inward or directed towards the inside.
Meaning
The characteristic of being inward or directed towards the inside.
More Meanings
- The internal or true state; the essential nature.
- Familiarity; intimacy.
- Earnestness; heartiness.
Example Sentences
the inwardness of conduct
Sense cannot arrive at th’inwardness of things.
Signior Leonato, let the friar advise you: / And though you know my inwardness and love / Is very much unto the prince and Claudio, / Yet, by mine honour, I will deal in this / As secretly and justly as your soul / Should with your body.
The prophets perpetually reminded their nation of the superiority of judgment and justice to any exterior ceremony like sacrifice. […] [W]hat was wanted was more inwardness, more feeling. This was given by adding mercy and humbleness to judgment and justice.
Word Forms
- inwardnesses
Synonyms for inwardness
Depending on context, synonyms include crux, gist, bowels, sum, core, essence.
Antonyms for inwardness
Common opposites include outwardness, externality.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include essence, substance, nitty-gritty, gist, sum, center.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.