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
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
According to a 2023 study in the journal of Behavioral Sciences, motivated students show more interest in their classes, have more fun, and the impact of motivation on academic performance is more consistent than the impact of self-esteem.
—
Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
However, there was no sign of the bashfulness or poor self-esteem that can undo ‘underdog’ sides at tournaments.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Dangerous TikTok trends popularize reckless behavior, costing vulnerable youth safety, self-esteem, and sometimes even their survival.
—Nicholas Cozzi, Time, 2 July 2025
For a man like Ralph, whose self-esteem hinges on the fact that his gender is superior, his dynamic with Drew probably leaves him in a constant state of borderline insanity.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-esteem
Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
However, there was no sign of the bashfulness or poor self-esteem that can undo ‘underdog’ sides at tournaments.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Dangerous TikTok trends popularize reckless behavior, costing vulnerable youth safety, self-esteem, and sometimes even their survival.
—Nicholas Cozzi, Time, 2 July 2025
For a man like Ralph, whose self-esteem hinges on the fact that his gender is superior, his dynamic with Drew probably leaves him in a constant state of borderline insanity.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-esteem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-esteem
Noun
-
But much to the couple’s pride and relief, the crash didn’t pull the family apart.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 July 2025
-
The milestone sparked pride from his father, but his mother didn't share the same enthusiasm.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Such braggadocio is just more evidence of a narcissistic ego.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 July 2025
-
True allyship requires checking one's ego at the door, prioritizing what's right over being right, and humbly learning from others.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Every decision from what’s in scope to what can be eliminated should support the core objective: enabling employee compliance teams to act with minimum friction and maximum confidence, even with the constant uncertainty of regulatory change.—
Kelvin Dickenson,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
And all this comes amid mounting pressure on the chancellor to shore up confidence in her strategy, after a series of U-turns on cuts to welfare and winter fuel payments.—
Ritika Gupta,
CNBC,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
The result is an almost weary vanity, in which the author plays himself as if under duress, simultaneously flourishing and folding up the self.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
Its offerings—face oils, supplements, vitamin treatments, and serums—reflect a holistic approach to skincare, treating the skin as an organ and prioritizing health over vanity.—
Ian Malone,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Research indicates, for instance, that nostalgia provides a bevy of psychological benefits, increasing an individual’s sense of satisfaction, self-confidence, and social connection, all while staving off their feelings of isolation and loneliness.—
Sam Walters,
Discover Magazine,
11 July 2025
-
Enduring the heat in New Orleans calls for layers, patterns, and prints that evoke self-confidence.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
That party’s reputation for fiscal responsibility has vanished, along with any right to self-respect.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 July 2025
-
Your outlook on self-worth, self-respect, and security will deepen in the second week of July.—
Liz Simmons,
StyleCaster,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
That level of assurance does not appear to be materializing at this time.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
And there is no assurance, as recent examples indicate, that DJS will even learn that a youthful offender wearing an ankle monitor is AWOL.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
She was eventually taken off her flight and reportedly booked a new ticket after regaining her composure, per the outlet.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
11 July 2025
-
Stevens’s reflections on his years of service reveal what’s pulsing beneath his composure: the choice to look away from troubling secrets and repress personal desires.—
Mia Barzilay Freund,
Vogue,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-esteem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-esteem. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share