ego

noun

ˈē-(ˌ)gō How to pronounce ego (audio)
Definition of egonext
1
as in pride
a reasonable or justifiable sense of one's worth or importance I have enough ego that I don't give up easily when trying to win any contest or competition

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements a star athlete with a refreshing lack of ego

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 ego Both teams now limp into Saturday's game in Austin with bruised bodies and egos, and carrying a whiff of desperation for a win to keep the season from unraveling. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 Did that feel like a parody of my ego, or also a way to make fun of it? — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026 There’s a lot of character packed into that description — a complicated combination of ego, insecurity, cynicism, and self-justification. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026 An America that feels safe because our leaders act with integrity and honor, not with a slavish, intemperate ego. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ego
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ego
  1. pride
  2. vanity
  3. confidence
  4. arrogance
Noun
  • Kendall and Kylie are so much younger that Kim has almost maternal pride in them.
    — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Mining heritage and guochao National pride in China, expressed through the guochao movement, continues to boom in fashion, with local designers finding new ways to translate their own culture in their designs.
    — Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of pride
Noun
  • My accommodations unfolded in a graceful series of rooms with couches, a four-poster bed, and a dual-vanity bathroom.
    — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Franchise values have compounded at 13% a year for more than six decades as team ownership evolved from a vanity project into an asset class.
    — Robert Gray, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of vanity
Noun
  • Unfortunately, South Korea’s situation is becoming more precarious — and thus conflict more likely — as Kim’s confidence grows and resolve weakens in Seoul and Washington.
    — Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The Field Partner Program began as a pilot in 2025 and is scaling with the 2026 crop, helping brands support regenerative agriculture goals with confidence.
    — SJ Studio, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of confidence
Noun
  • McVay and Snead have effectively built a culture of arrogance.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • These fascinating, illuminating episodes raise the question of whether great fiction requires the kind of single-mindedness and even arrogance that McCarthy cultivated.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of arrogance

Phrases Containing ego

Browse Nearby Words

eggs (on)
ego
egocentric
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Cite this Entry

“Ego.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ego. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ego

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ego

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