alter ego

noun

ˌȯl-tər-ˈē-(ˌ)gō How to pronounce alter ego (audio)
Definition of alter egonext
1
as in friend
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another over the years the state's other senator became his alter ego as well as his political ally

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in image
something or someone that strongly resembles another the hero of the novel is clearly the author's alter ego, right down to his receding hairline and middle-aged paunch

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 alter ego Ephron’s narrator and alter ego, Rachel Samstat, writes cookbooks and hosts a TV show. — Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 This is her real alter ego, not playing Cowgirl Barbie with Kyle. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026 Taking over the role of nerdy wallflower Fern, as well as her popular alter ego Vylette, is Chicago non-binary actor AJ Paramo. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 Sesay characterized the persona as an alter ego — a provocative internet character that Andrew uses to attract attention, entertain an audience and make money. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alter ego
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alter ego
  1. friend
  2. image
  3. buddy
  4. twin
  5. picture
  6. replica
  7. clone
  8. duplicate
Noun
  • The service The service at Sala is seamless and friendly, and from arrival, the front desk staff feels more like a group of friends than a removed set of hotel employees.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Diana can be heard in revealing form in the tapes, which were conversations recorded with her friend James Colthurst in 1991.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of friend
Noun
  • As their names suggest, one perfume bottle features an image of pizza and the other of pasta on its front.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The rooms are incredibly cozy, with gas fireplaces, a pull-out couch, and framed images of different landmarks around the Presidio.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of image
Noun
  • After two turns as a mentor, is Pearce ready to join her buddy Green as a coach?
    — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Swift returned at the end of the show to present her buddy with a birthday cake.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of buddy
Noun
  • But in terms of the twins, Rex and Ash were just fantastic together.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The producer credits will be shared by Molly Smith and the Luckinbill twins for Black Label Media, Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee for Thunder Road and Ed McDonnell.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of twin
Noun
  • While population growth has long been a tailwind for growth and creditworthiness, falling fertility rates and unprecedented speed of changing age structures are now changing that picture, Moody’s writes.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In a picture shared in the post taken on Fall Picture Day, Cagle said Burfield had relaxed smile and a sense of ease.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of picture
Noun
  • Hanging beside a replica wooden hut was a birdcage with a note explaining that the parrot had been removed for its own mental well-being.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Eight interconnecting venues offer everything from French-Japanese fusion, an oyster and ceviche bar, poolside cocktails, and a replica speakeasy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of replica
Noun
  • The case involved a popular Japanese anime voice actor who demanded that TikTok close an account over its unauthorized use of an AI clone of his trademark baritone.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • An authentic but upgraded clone of Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance that can play more than just GBA games using emulation.
    — Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of clone
Noun
  • Finally, under Performance, the photo cleaner offered to free up storage space by deleting duplicate photos and photos that, while not exact duplicates, are very similar.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The list of candidates for the top prize duplicates last year’s roster of EOTY nominees, with the exception of Langley taking the spot that went to Morgan Wallen in 2024.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of duplicate

Browse Nearby Words

altered
alter ego
alter egos
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Cite this Entry

“Alter ego.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alter%20ego. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on alter ego

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alter ego

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