fragile ego
Thin-skinned self-regard
A fragile ego is a sense of self-worth that's easily threatened or damaged.
Someone with a fragile ego takes criticism personally, needs constant validation, and may react defensively to minor slights: His fragile ego couldn't handle being corrected in front of others.
The phrase typically carries a critical edge, suggesting the person's insecurity creates problems for those around them.
- insecureLacking self-assurance
- defensiveProtective or easily threatened
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
- thin-skinnedEasily hurt by remarks
- paper thinExtremely flimsy or slight
narcissist · pride · wounded · bruised · validation · approval · fishing for compliments · criticism · vulnerable · self-esteem · easily offended · touchy · brittle · shattered · crumbling · needy · constant reassurance · overcompensating
- egoegocentrism, egocentricity, self-esteem, self-worth, conceit
- ego termsnarcissist, narcissism, self-love, self-esteem, self-image
- weakened thingsweak link, thin ice, brittle bone, worn tread, dying ember
- narcissismnarcissist, narcissistic personality disorder, vanity, self-love, arrogance
- vulnerabilitiesvulnerability, insecurity, weakness, self-doubt, flaw
fragile egothick skin
Immunity to criticism
psychological resilience · mental toughness · inner strength · equanimity · emotional resilience
fragile egoquiet confidence
self-possession · self-assurance · self-acceptance · unflappable · groundedness
fragile egoegolessness
Lack of self-centeredness
humility · ego death · selflessness · self-transcendence · non-attachment
fragile, ego, fragility, fragilely, fragment, fragmentation, fragmentary, fragmented, frangible