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 Your friend may show changes in their usual mood or mindset, such as sadness, depression, anxiety, self-doubt or low self-esteem. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 According to the American Psychological Association, self-affirmations, even in small doses, can have lasting effects on our self-esteem. — Lennon Sherburne, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026 Regular aerobic exercise can lower tension while improving sleep, mood, and self-esteem. — Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 29 Sep. 2026 The emotional effects were immediate—hurt, confusion, lowered self-esteem. — George Loewenstein, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-esteem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-esteem

Noun

Some will say past results don’t matter, but many of TCU’s veterans are used to beating Baylor and take pride it in.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026
Behind the reputation that surrounded them, there was humor, loyalty, and pride.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of pride

Noun

Both teams now limp into Saturday's game in Austin with bruised bodies and egos, and carrying a whiff of desperation for a win to keep the season from unraveling.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Did that feel like a parody of my ego, or also a way to make fun of it?

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of ego

Noun

Economists like Robert Lucas and Edward Prescott — who each won Nobel Prizes — challenged Keynesian economics and its confidence that government policy could effectively smooth out the economy's ups and downs.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
The Moon in your sign squares Jupiter, making confidence, frustration, desire, or impatience harder to moderate.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of confidence

Noun

Rather than through a cold call or email, the scammers lure them through websites offering self-publishing or vanity publishing.

— Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 13 Oct. 2026
And the angelic youth Dorian Gray’s deadly descent into vanity and vice—ignited by a hubristic obsession with his own image—eerily foreshadows the grim trajectory of Wilde’s later years.

— Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of vanity

Noun

Christina Applegate is back home and prioritizing self-confidence in the latest update on her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis.

— Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of self-confidence

Noun

The judge appeared swayed by DHS’ assurances but needed time to consider.

— Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2026
The album slides between styles surprisingly smoothly and with a remarkable assurance; a raft of collaborators contribute production (primarily Bartees Strange, Grammy winner Mike Elizondo and Avis Reese) but there’s no question who’s in charge.

— Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026