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
Learning that mistakes are inevitable rather than a sign of inherent flaws can help your kids avoid the stress of perfectionism, which can lead to long-term mental health issues like anxiety and low self-esteem, according to developmental psychologist Aliza Pressman.
—
Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
The modern self-esteem movement promotes the significance of every person.
—James O. Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
So my self-esteem was very low.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
Beyond that, research finds that helping others can reduce stress, increase mood-boosting endorphins and contribute to better self-esteem.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-esteem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-esteem
Noun
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But, most of all, there was pride — the good kind of pride.—
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The Hoosiers are the bad guys, the bullies come to take your pride and your lunch money, albeit politely.—
Noun
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His on-field poise and ego-free personality are a combination that will be an easy sell to an NFL locker room.—
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The ego, the hardness, the … callousness of anything that might be on the heart or the mind had literally just melted away.—
Noun
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In June, voting members rejected the second assessment in a 229-166 vote, a move the lawsuit characterized as a loss of confidence in the board’s management.—
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Political interference in mergers and acquisitions approvals and daily operations repels foreign investment and damages confidence in market operations.—
Noun
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Posing on top of an antique vanity and inside a wooden cabinet, Bieber cycled through a parade of sheer lace, see-through mesh, and strappy designs in shades of red, black, pink, and cream.—
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Store liquids—such as lotion, makeup, perfumes, and skincare—on a tray to protect your vanity table or bathroom cabinet.—
Noun
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This reawakens your joy, passion and self-confidence, making your dating life feel fun again.—
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Her Florence by Mills fashion brand also serves as an extension of her personal style with inclusive ready-to-wear, loungewear, activewear and intimates rooted in self-confidence, optimism and comfort, with prices ranging from $8 to $85.—
Noun
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The August 12th Leo New Moon Solar Eclipse invites you to commit to a new era of financial responsibility and self-respect.—
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The national nonprofit provides the opportunity for inner-city kids to participate in football and cheer, while teaching them the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline and self-respect.—
Noun
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Neither assurance of German manufacture nor of superior sound quality sufficed to get the bills back into the salesman’s palm.—
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In a world where they are too often ignored, underappreciated or misunderstood, Black children’s books offer a welcoming sense of pride, assurance and the ability to freely dream for our babies and young people.—
Noun
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The composure to finish the play.—
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The image captures Mellisa moving through festive surroundings with focused determination, presenting a figure who maintains sharp composure amid surrounding chaos.—
Cite this Entry
“Self-esteem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-esteem. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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