self-esteem

[ self-i-steem, self- ]

noun

1. a realistic respect for or favorable impression of oneself; self-respect.

   Antonyms: diffidence

2. an inordinately or exaggeratedly favorable impression of oneself:

   Her self-esteem can sometimes be very annoying.

   Antonyms: diffidence

self-esteem

noun

1. respect for or a favourable opinion of oneself
2. an unduly high opinion of oneself; vanity

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-esteem¹

First recorded in 1650–60

Synonym Study

See pride.

Example Sentences

Once a girl's self-esteem is crushed, the effects are far reaching and long lasting.

From The Daily Beast

For 381 days, no black person in Montgomery with a shred of self-esteem rode the bus.

From The Daily Beast

It was her flaws, her failures, her struggles with her weight and her self-esteem, and her refusal to be shamed by them.

From The Daily Beast

The price of being unable to perform is often paid in self-esteem.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, I get that Always is attempting to build large, overarching connections between girls getting older and losing self-esteem.

From The Daily Beast

To suddenly discover oneself proficient where failure had been feared increases self esteem and adds to the sum of happiness.

From Project Gutenberg

He was angry with himself, wounded in self-esteem, for having allowed any one to render him this service.

From Project Gutenberg

That was to be her punishment for having cut too deep into his self-esteem.

From Project Gutenberg

But I thought I would leave the word to him, without further attempt to reinstate him in his self-esteem.

From Project Gutenberg

The very worst way to induce a man to learn is to begin by telling him he is ignorant, and thereby insulting his self-esteem.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• confidence
• dignity
• morale
• self-respect