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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-esteem
Team sports in general are also linked to higher self-esteem, greater life satisfaction, reduced depression, and stronger social bonds - and volleyball is no exception.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Maddie is talented, warm, funny and kind but also anxious, plagued with low self-esteem cultivated by a traumatic childhood.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Yet the satisfaction of the experience seemed deeper than a self-esteem boost.
—Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Uranus is retrograding in Gemini for five months, and that’s lighting up your self-esteem and money zone.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-esteem
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Maddie is talented, warm, funny and kind but also anxious, plagued with low self-esteem cultivated by a traumatic childhood.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Yet the satisfaction of the experience seemed deeper than a self-esteem boost.
—Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Uranus is retrograding in Gemini for five months, and that’s lighting up your self-esteem and money zone.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-esteem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-esteem
Noun
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As if back in character, Colfer sported a massive smile, while O'Malley pointed his finger at Colfer in pride with a poker face.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Sep. 2025
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Have a few rounds of Guinness pulled with pride, maybe a scotch sour.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, underneath that public bravado there is some truth in the fact that Britain has also characterized the visit that way, with the specific intention of appealing to Trump's ego in the hope of securing a better trade deal.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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This question opens up powerful lessons on letting go of control, ego, needing to be right or doing it all alone.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Girls in particular report drops in confidence, disrupted sleep, and heavier struggles with mental health.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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And with consecutive 100-plus yard performances from two different wideouts, Albin’s confidence in the offense continues to grow.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The promo references the famous —or, sometimes, infamous — farewells that contestants leave, penned in lipstick, on the vanity mirrors where queens do their makeup.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
17 Sep. 2025
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Place a container near your vanity to hold earrings, rings, hairpins, and coins.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Disability and sensory-friendly designs support fine motor skills, social-emotional growth and self-confidence.—
Kendra Davenport,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Roughly 71 percent of women reported that the term negatively affects self-confidence during pregnancy.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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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Colum’s smug assurance that the wedding will happen soon is rocked when Ned shows up with news of the Grants’ suspicions about the raid.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
12 Sep. 2025
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Every watch is protected by a 2-year warranty—an uncommon assurance in a market often marked by uncertainty.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Agbadou has appeared sluggish and careless at the heart of defence, while Andre has lacked his customary composure in midfield.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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And in the latest Colleen Hoover adaptation, Regretting You (10/24), Allison Williams plays Morgan, the mother of a precocious and horny teenager, Clara (Mckenna Grace), who struggles to maintain her composure after the deaths of her husband and sister — who were having an affair.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-esteem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-esteem. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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