word
Imposter Syndrome
im-POS-ter SIN-drohm
/ɪmˈpɒstər ˈsɪndroʊm/Listen
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Syllable breakdown
impostersyndrome
Dictionary meaning
Persistent belief that one's success is undeserved and fear of being exposed as a fraud — coined by psychologists Clance and Imes (1978); extremely common among high achievers; affects women and minorities disproportionately due to systemic exclusion; distinct from actual frauds; strategies include externalizing achievements and normalizing self-doubt
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