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
Relevance
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
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
Sports fandom is 'part of your identity' Especially for diehard devotees, the emotional attachment fans have to their teams can be interwoven with hometown pride, family history, geographic loyalty, personal identity and self-esteem.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Reading to a dog can increase a child’s self-esteem and confidence levels in reading, especially for struggling readers and helps to socialize guide dog puppies.
—Jeffrey F. Bill, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
My newfound self-esteem led me to meet my current husband.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
On top of that, finishing this small task early can boost self-esteem and create a sense of control.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-esteem
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Reading to a dog can increase a child’s self-esteem and confidence levels in reading, especially for struggling readers and helps to socialize guide dog puppies.
—Jeffrey F. Bill, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
My newfound self-esteem led me to meet my current husband.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
On top of that, finishing this small task early can boost self-esteem and create a sense of control.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-esteem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-esteem
Noun
-
Even when working within the constraints of Interior’s own misguided directive, there is an obvious exception that would apply to the pride flag flown at Stonewall, which is for flags that provide historical context.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Marie takes great pride in their work and values the opportunity to contribute.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s ego can take only so much criticism.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Time draws these kids osmotically through a membrane, turning them into things like us, adults captured by the brittle carapaces of our egos.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Hardware enthusiasm While there are doubts about the software industry, Wall Street has resounding confidence that hardware companies are AI winners.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Uncertainty is the absence of confidence and, right now, a lack of confidence is overriding the reality that many of these companies are going to be just fine.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Clear bins on a bathroom vanity are ideal for daily-use items, which Wells suggests storing in the front, and extra or backup toiletries in the back.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The old icebox turned vanity is a gift from a friend.—
Wendy Goodman,
Curbed,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The secret to mental toughness is self-confidence.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
What could be tested during this time are your ability to see reality over wishful thinking, self-confidence despite setbacks, feeling lovable even if someone doesn’t come through, showing up even if someone else doesn’t.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This means by which unification takes place, by which forgiveness is possible, by which mercy arrives, by which self-respect is regained is via the transference of humiliation to a plastic black form.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Under the mentorship of Mr. Miyagi, Daniel learns that self-defense is about balance, self-respect, and emotional control.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There is also a federal class-action lawsuit filed by former members that accuses Gateway and Robert Morris of failing to honor promises to give 15% of donations to global missions and misleading congregants with assurances of refunds.—
Giles Hudson,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Advocates in the South Bay say the timing of ongoing sweeps raises red flags — regardless of official assurances that the Super Bowl is not a factor.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One of Lamont’s unacknowledged strengths is his public composure and innate courtesy in an era when escalating vulgarity in politics shows an ugly American face to us and the world.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The ride strikes a fine balance between composure and comfort.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-esteem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-esteem. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
