alter ego

noun

ˌȯl-tər-ˈē-(ˌ)gō How to pronounce alter ego (audio)
Definition of alter egonext
1
as in friend
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another over the years the state's other senator became his alter ego as well as his political ally

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in image
something or someone that strongly resembles another the hero of the novel is clearly the author's alter ego, right down to his receding hairline and middle-aged paunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of alter ego Ghost Rider is the alter ego of Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcyclist who, in Marvel comics, makes a deal with the demon Mephisto to save his adoptive father and becomes bound to the Spirit of Vengeance. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026 The anonymous buyer used the Central Perk LLC and Regina Phalange LLC to pay for the units—nods to the famous coffee shop and alter ego of Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) from the sitcom Friends. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026 What’s unleashed is Edward Hyde, a violent alter ego who threatens what the scientist wanted to prove wrong about those with mental illness. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 With a bowler hat, a toothbrush mustache, and a crook cane, Charlie Chaplin’s bumbling alter ego the Tramp lit up the big screen. — Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alter ego
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alter ego
  1. friend
  2. image
  3. buddy
  4. twin
  5. picture
  6. replica
  7. clone
  8. duplicate
Noun
  • Joshua, now 14 and a freshman at Hinsdale Central High School, started playing the piano at age 4 after becoming interested because of a friend who was playing.
    — Chuck Fieldman, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The turning point came when a friend’s band bought a van for a tour.
    — Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of friend
Noun
  • Unlike conventional sonar approaches that rely on lower-resolution acoustic images, synthetic aperture sonar combines multiple acoustic measurements collected as the sensor moves through the water.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The image was manipulated by artificial intelligence and posted by a Colombian artist, according to Brazilian fact-checking outlet Agência Lupa.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of image
Noun
  • Also seen starring opposite Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa in Prime Video’s buddy action comedy The Wrecking Crew, Kealoha is represented by Artists First, CESD and Goodman Genow Schenkman.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2026
  • While he was stationed in Mississippi for training, a buddy took note of his poker skills and introduced him to the art of card counting.
    — Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of buddy
Noun
  • Having entered the Anesthesiologist Assistant program in May, the twins are now securing airways through intubation, calculating delicate medication dosages, and tailoring anesthesia to patients with chronic conditions.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026
  • In addition to their initial reunion, the finale sees the twins team up to save their father’s life.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of twin
Noun
  • To graduate from a stock concept to a real observation, picture-of-a-picture imagery like this asks for delicate framing.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 9 Nov. 2026
  • In a new study, researchers at the University of Ottawa have proposed this unconventional picture, which challenges some of modern physics’ biggest assumptions.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of picture
Noun
  • Years later, while using a replica, Delciello spotted the 100-year-old original at a farmer’s market.
    — Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Its miniature replica captures the grandeur of the iconic flagship, offering collectors a piece of Manhattan holiday history without the Manhattan real estate prices.
    — Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of replica
Noun
  • Authors can produce an audiobook with a synthetic narrator or a clone of their own voice, and translate the book—and that audiobook—into other languages.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The Deadpool & Wolverine actress also reflected on her time working alongside Hugh Jackman on Logan as the mutant clone/biological daughter of Wolverine, Laura/X-23.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of clone
Noun
  • The new volume includes valuable findings alongside duplicates, unverifiable submissions and reports lacking enough depth to act on.
    — Ido Geffen, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Once a document is marked as a duplicate, it would likely be excluded from the files.
    — Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of duplicate

Browse Nearby Words

altered
alter ego
alter egos
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Cite this Entry

“Alter ego.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alter%20ego. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on alter ego

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alter ego

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