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 Research has found that hair loss can negatively affect self-esteem, social interactions and overall quality of life, making even gradual thinning much more than a cosmetic concern. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 31 July 2026 However, if your sadness and lack of self-esteem don’t lessen, then discuss this with a licensed mental health professional. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 29 July 2026 Kids with behavioral needs benefit from improving their self-esteem and self-control. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026 Compliments can be especially challenging for people who struggle with self-esteem, says Xuan Zhao, a behavioral scientist. — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-esteem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-esteem

Noun

His brand shone as a symbol of national pride and soft power.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Rivera nearly stuck the vault, her coach Valeri Liukin beaming with pride.

— Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of pride

Noun

But what really interested us with this movie was trying to understand the humanity and searching for and exploring the love and the loyalty to characters to have a dialogue with an audience and not do it for the sake of ego or shock.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
In a day when outsized egos rule the sports landscape, Harvey is humble, upbeat and engaging.

— Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of ego

Noun

In a post on X, Kono, former defense minister under the Abe administration, warned that the plan could undermine confidence in Japan's fiscal position, push interest rates higher and weaken the yen.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
The government says the new framework will improve investor confidence by making decisions more predictable while protecting climate integrity and ensuring local communities benefit from carbon market projects.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of confidence

Noun

This, in turn, resulted in a bathroom remodel because the entire two-sink vanity needed to be replaced.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Leo is the hype friend of the zodiac, encouraging us to be proud and confident in ourselves — not from a place of vanity but from genuine self-respect.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of vanity

Noun

Before Ted arrives in England, the ladies will have been trained by Assistant Coach Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds), a lovely and devoted leader who lacks self-confidence.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026
On July 27, as the sun in Leo makes an opposition to Pluto retrograde in Aquarius, your self-confidence could be met with resistance, or maybe a personal desire clashes with social expectations.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

Definition of self-confidence

Noun

On deadline day, unsettling for many, Abrams had the look of a man who was calmed by his boss’ assurances.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Every additional interaction increases operating costs while providing little assurance of stronger products or happier customers.

— Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of assurance

Noun

Chef—the character is nameless, and seemingly unknowable—is a mentor and a foil to Tony, his lined face and graying beard highlighting Tony’s youth, his composure framing Tony’s jittery ambition.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Morgan got out of the way and regain composure just for a moment.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026