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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-esteem
Their self-esteem crashes and their anxiety increases.
—
wendy Wisner, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025
One study on ghosting in a hiring context—say, an employer’s nonresponse to a job applicant—found that those who were ghosted had more self-esteem than those who got personal feedback.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
His affairs helped, if only temporarily, to restore an ever-tenuous self-esteem.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Proceeds will directly benefit the organization’s programs that allow students to develop creative outlets, learn marketable skills and gain a sense of independence and self-esteem.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-esteem
wendy Wisner, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025
One study on ghosting in a hiring context—say, an employer’s nonresponse to a job applicant—found that those who were ghosted had more self-esteem than those who got personal feedback.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
His affairs helped, if only temporarily, to restore an ever-tenuous self-esteem.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Proceeds will directly benefit the organization’s programs that allow students to develop creative outlets, learn marketable skills and gain a sense of independence and self-esteem.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-esteem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-esteem
Noun
-
Quiroga Chaparro fled Colombia to escape persecution based on his sexuality after attending a gay pride event, his husband said.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Agnes was a passionate historian, who took great pride in preserving her family’s rich history.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That merely meant coach Brian Dutcher didn’t have to delicately parcel out playing time while massaging egos on his Mariana Trench-deep roster, and the bench shortened by circumstance delivered a 77-45 win powered by a pair of true freshmen and a typically frenetic defensive effort.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
With Venus in your career zone squaring Pluto in your sign, power struggles or clashes of ego could surface, especially if others project their expectations onto you.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This funny tale of unlikely heroism can be enjoyed either as a read-aloud or as a confidence booster for newly independent readers.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Narrowly beating Purdue as a 21-point favorite won’t inspire a lot of confidence for the final stretch of the regular season.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Further forward lies a galley, lobby, and an owner’s suite with an office, vanity, walk-in wardrobe, and en suite.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
4 Nov. 2025
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The camera then panned to her vanity to reveal a Sephora bag — teasing her new holiday brand deal — knocked over with some items missing.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Coaching successfully in such conditions requires a mixture of humility and self-confidence, as well as a certain cunning.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
For creatives and business women alike, looking the part can be the key to not only self-confidence but also self-actualization.—
Brianna J. Heath,
Essence,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Approximately 25 artists were highlighted in the book that aims to encompass the nonprofit’s core values: inspiring artistic expression, building community, promoting self-respect and developing independence.—
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
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My partner’s refusal to be comforted by this institutional food struck me sometimes as pointlessly obstructive and at other times as a sign of self-respect.—
Rachel Cusk,
New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Wall Street is looking for assurance that Apple’s biggest revenue driver is still growing despite concerns that the company is behind in the AI race.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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The idea of winning Rs 1 crore had driven countless Indians to try their luck at KBC, dedicating years to memorizing trivia with no assurance of ever being able to compete on the show.—
Snigdha Poonam,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But the most impressive thing for me is just his composure.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
In recent years, he’s trained some of the world’s most accomplished investors, entrepreneurs, special forces veterans, and CEOs in the same practice — how to find clarity and composure amid uncertainty.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-esteem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-esteem. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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