self-worth

noun

: a sense of one's own value as a human being : self-esteem
feelings of self-worth
a lack of self-worth
helping to build/develop self-worth
people with low/greater/higher self-worth
Too often, college students base their self-worth solely on their GPA.Marcia Morris
… jobs that gave them not only wages and health care and pensions but also a context, a sense of self-worth, a kind of identity.Lance Morrow
… a five-minute film that touches on themes of building inner strength and developing a strong sense of self-worth.Natalie Proulx

Examples of self-worth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This playbook leans into principles like setting boundaries, operating from your own set of values, self-worth > people pleasing, operating from a place of abundance, the magic of one step = momentum, and following your own circadian rhythm. Karin Eldor, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Consider your self-worth when asking for a raise or making a big investment. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025 For the next six months, your finances, self-worth, and resources are under Saturn’s microscope. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025 In this world, people define their self-worth based on their ability to provide for their families — and when unemployment becomes an existential threat, why shouldn’t a guy like Man-soo start killing those who stand in his way? Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-worth

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-worth was in 1815

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Cite this Entry

“Self-worth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-worth. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-worth

noun
-ˈwərth

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