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

The Bears haven’t ruled out the possibility of getting Trapilo at least some reps during training camp this month to test him out and rebuild his confidence in padded practices.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
That signal could help security teams identify compromises with greater confidence.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 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

Extracurricular activities help kids build important life skills, including teamwork, persistence, and self-confidence.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
But he has been accused of inflating his role in some projects and demonstrating a self-confidence that borders on cockiness.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of self-confidence

Noun

Licata and other administrators started the day at the district’s bus barn, voicing excitement and assurance that operations would be orderly for students’ return to the classroom.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Aug. 2026
The 1999 assurances that investment returns would cover the costs of the massive pension benefit increase were absurd.

— Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of assurance

Noun

The closers who deliberately grow their skills, their composure and their standards watch their results grow with them.

— Ramon Cadiz, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
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