SELF-ESTEEM Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

self-esteem

noun

ˌself-ə-ˈstēm

Definition of self-esteem

as in pride

a reasonable or justifiable sense of one's worth or importance friends and family have tried to help the shy child develop some self-esteem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ego

an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements his towering self-esteem made praise from other people entirely unnecessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in confidence

great faith in oneself or one's abilities the kind of self-esteem that a struggling actor needs to keep going in the face of constant discouragement and rejection

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 self-esteem For example, positive motivations for trying to improve your personal appearance could be a desire to boost your self-esteem or feel more open to connecting with those around you. — Jennifer Donnelly, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026 The settlement also requires limits on features that some experts believe are detrimental to teenagers’ self-esteem and self-image. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2026 Research supports that navigating new places and meeting new people can contribute to positive emotions and higher self-esteem. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2026 But maturing onscreen — and the endless scrutiny that came with it — led to lifelong self-esteem issues, especially after she was cast as the superhero cheerleader Claire Bennett on Heroes at 17 in 2006. — Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-esteem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-esteem

Noun

The other bill Newsom signed, Assembly Bill 1836, expands the availability of state security grants to offsite celebrations like cultural and religious festivals, marches and LGBTQ pride events.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
While developing her next feature, Coppola has spent this retrospective year taking stock, watching with a familiar pride as her own children pursue creative paths.

— Ben Croll, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of pride

Noun

Working with her friend and employer Sam (Sharlene Whyte), a boundary-free partnership that zags between deal points and Sam’s marital woes, Alex wrangles author egos and fends off competitors.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
The risk of rogue models cannot be held back by blasts of ego.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of ego

Noun

Harbaugh expressed confidence in backup Jameis Winston's ability to step in for however long Dart is out.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
Children often don’t have the vocabulary to name a fear directly or the confidence that a topic is safe to raise.

— Anahi Collado, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of confidence

Noun

Scot’s self-confidence in genderqueer expression seems unrealistic for his age and for the times, and yuppie Sam is too perfect.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026
O’Donnell’s characters are usually fresh out of divorces and staying afloat on waves of delusional self-confidence and optimism.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of self-confidence

Noun

But weighting choices vary by pollster and offer no assurance of accuracy.

— W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
The findings, which came from a survey of 10 current workers and 27 former ones who left recently, stated that the safety and mission assurance team had lost half its staff as of July 2026.

— Eric Niiler, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026