imposter syndrome
3 synonyms for imposter syndrome, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The persistent feeling that your achievements are undeserved and that you will eventually be exposed as a fraud, despite clear evidence that you are competent.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
imposter phenomenon
fraud syndrome
self-doubt
How to use imposter syndrome
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
suffer from imposter syndrome
classic imposter syndrome
battling imposter syndrome
Informal to neutral; very common in workplace, academic and mental-health conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Is imposter syndrome a real medical condition?
No. It is not a recognised diagnosis in the DSM or ICD; it is a descriptive term for a common pattern of thinking. It can still be distressing enough to be worth discussing with a therapist, often alongside anxiety or perfectionism.
Is it spelled imposter syndrome or impostor syndrome?
Both are accepted. Impostor is the older and more traditional spelling and is preferred by most dictionaries, while imposter is now extremely common, especially in everyday and online writing.
What is the difference between imposter syndrome and low self-esteem?
Low self-esteem is a broad, low opinion of yourself across the board. Imposter syndrome is narrower and stranger: the person often knows they are capable in other respects but cannot accept credit for a specific success, attributing it to luck, charm or timing.
