1
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
2
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
3
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
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Recent Examples of self-esteem
For your own self-esteem, consider getting help.
—
Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
This change often lowers your self-esteem.
—Emrah Cinik, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Jackson traveled the country preaching self-esteem and self-discipline.
—Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Feeling stigmatized can quietly erode self-esteem, increase anxiety and change how people behave in everyday settings.
—Emily Tanner, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-esteem
Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
This change often lowers your self-esteem.
—Emrah Cinik, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Jackson traveled the country preaching self-esteem and self-discipline.
—Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Feeling stigmatized can quietly erode self-esteem, increase anxiety and change how people behave in everyday settings.
—Emily Tanner, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-esteem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-esteem
Noun
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This was about something as simple yet profound as national pride, something recently reawakened in many of them.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 17,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
-
In addition to green representing nationalism and pride in Ireland, the color symbolizes protection.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
So if our leader can check his ego, clearly the rest of us could check our ego.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Like their ego is being quieted .—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While Gary and Ezeiruaku have confidence from the coaching staff, a productive double-digit sack player might not be on the roster.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
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Through his guidance, countless beginners found confidence, joy and a sense of belonging.—
Avery Newmark,
AJC.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Making the vanity the centerpiece of the bathroom can transform the space entires, often with just a simple can of paint.—
Lauren Jones,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Included in this suite is a spa-like primary bath with a soaking tub, stand-up shower, and two vanities.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And indeed, Beuerlein, who thought his days as a quarterback were over until Holtz arrived and restored his faith and self-confidence, had already worked through his own emotions in the nearly two weeks since Holtz’s death.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
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But niches can be worthwhile in themselves, especially if they are connected to a longstanding cultural tradition, and have the self-confidence to innovate.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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From writer-director John Carney (Sing Street, Once), Power Ballad is a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Varley’s got a lot of self-respect.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The government wasn’t using autonomous weapons and claimed no mass-surveillance plans—but for a company to ask for those assurances in writing was to sign its own death warrant.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Regnitz reiterated, to a second assurance from Gunn.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Kudos to Styles who managed to mostly keep his composure as Hernández glided around him.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
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His consistent composure is his greatest advantage.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-esteem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-esteem. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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