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 Born six weeks after Vernon and a kind of public-facing alter ego for the singer at past Eaux Claires, Francis has materialized as a surprise guest at the Dijon set. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026 Nicholas Galitzine stars as Prince Adam – and his buff alter ego He-Man – who returns to his homeland of Eternia to reunite with old friends and battle evil, over-the-top Skeletor (Jared Leto). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Like her alter ego Hermione, the Harry Potter alum couldn’t stay away from academia for long. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 Unlike entertainers who view their public persona as an alter ego, Sukihana sees balance as the foundation of her identity. — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 17 July 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
  • Samaritan's Purse said nearly every patient treated at its field hospital has lost a family member or close friend.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
  • Can any human being be a true friend to thousands or even millions of people at once?
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of friend
Noun
  • The smoke trail seen in the image extends to nearly 200 kilometers south of the facility according to a CNN analysis.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • The image of Tessarion chained in the sept in Tumbleton feels quite emblematic of his own internal experience.
    — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 27 July 2026
Definition of image
Noun
  • His buddy Batista was slain by Leon Prater (Peter Dinklage), but there’s no doubt Quinn will suspect Dexter played a role in it.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 July 2026
  • Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris and Arturo Castro also star in the film, in which Cena plays an undercover CIA agent who inadvertently gets his buddies tied up in a globe-trotting adventure.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 26 July 2026
Definition of buddy
Noun
  • Remarkably, the children who initially drew them together at Great Beginnings — Begnaud’s son Max and Kisner’s twins — were born just 10 days apart.
    — Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • The coming-of-age series stars Annie and Connor, adopted twins raised by a single dad in New York.
    — Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 30 July 2026
Definition of twin
Noun
  • These pictures, taken over the weekend, show the evacuation operation in full swing in the French city of Bordeaux.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • Beyond the world title pictures, Redemption also began laying the groundwork for the undercard.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of picture
Noun
  • To make access easier, there is no need to log in to view the digital replica of the newspaper.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026
  • New York's Fashion Workers Act separately requires written consent before creating or using an AI digital replica of a model.
    — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of replica
Noun
  • If these clone yaks are meant to boost the farming industry, are they being selectively bred to produce more milk, or better cuts of meat, or specific types of wool?
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The interview, therefore, presents an opportunity to stand out in a sea of clones.
    — Cami Fateh, Vogue, 22 July 2026
Definition of clone
Noun
  • Cummings notes that you're bound to have some amazing photos and videos from your trip—but also some not-so-great shots as well as duplicates.
    — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 26 July 2026
  • Some have been coming here since the 2010 World Cup, and their steady presence and exhaustive supplies of duplicates have established this as the place to go.
    — Maria Jose Gutierrez-Chavez, Curbed, 17 July 2026
Definition of duplicate

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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 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on alter ego

Nglish: Translation of alter ego for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alter ego

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