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 Sydney Sweeney is turning up the heat with her superhero alter ego. — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026 The viral moment started with an Instagram Reel O'Donnell shared on July 28, in which her alter ego, Chanty, simply introduces herself to the camera. — Owen Carry, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 Cage plays private investigator Ben Riley, a man who has long abandoned his alter ego. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026 Much like his onscreen alter ego, Walmsley was a musician himself. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 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
  • Talley then wandered out of the media center, looking down at her phone and trying to find her friends.
    — Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In a Facebook post, Robert Duensing, owner of Best Regards Bakery & Cafe in Overland Park, recalled hundreds of guest radio appearances and being pushed to go just a little further by his friend.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of friend
Noun
  • The optical payload successfully demonstrated angles-only navigation using live-feed images and an algorithm embedded within its payload electronics, enabling closed-loop control between the payload and the spacecraft, as per the release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • But by halftime, the image escaped those few inches as the Pride of the Southland Band gave Parton’s most enduring symbol a much larger stage.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of image
Noun
  • But the Opera House manager or assistant manager was one of our old Berkeley buddies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • After his buddy’s truck passes, Tanner guides his Jeep back onto the road and puts foot to gas for five miles into Little Moreau Park.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of buddy
Noun
  • Unfortunately, a particle returning from a ballistic flight is moving fast while its stationary twin is not.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • For those who plan to spend little time cooped up, the Standard or Standard Twin rooms (featuring a queen/full bed or two twins, respectively) are the way to go.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of twin
Noun
  • Mannion’s big-picture plans require Hurts to play in an Eagles offense that has already looked very different.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The Late Show won for writing, short form comedy, picture editing, technical direction and camerawork, and lighting design — all a fond farewell to the show.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of picture
Noun
  • Just then, the strains of a familiar song wafted across the store, and Valencia and Zegarra followed it, past a Lightning McQueen replica, to a tiny area where a half-dozen child-size chairs were arranged before a screen.
    — Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Accompanied by some technology — radars, satellite phones and whatnot — and a volleyball replica of Wilson from Castaway, Tez spent weeks in the Pacific with pods of dolphins, friendly seagulls and his own thoughts.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of replica
Noun
  • Some females, however, reproduce asexually by making clones of themselves.
    — Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026
  • That’s in contrast to bacteria, which reproduce asexually, creating clones that are often nearly identical and easy to trace.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of clone
Noun
  • The list of candidates for the top prize duplicates last year’s roster of EOTY nominees, with the exception of Langley taking the spot that went to Morgan Wallen in 2024.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Objectors also allege some petition sheets were copies, duplicates or did not apply to the specified referendum.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 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 12 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on alter ego

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alter ego

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