Synonyms

esteemed

American

[ih-steemd] / ɪˈstimd /

adjective

regarded highly or favorably; respected or admired.

Her teaching ability, leadership skills, and winsome personality made her a highly esteemed member of the school staff.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of esteem.

Other Word Forms

unesteemed adjective
well-esteemed adjective

Etymology

Origin of esteemed

First recorded in 1545–55; esteem + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective; esteem + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb

Explanation

If lots of people respect you and you're known around town as a wise and intelligent person whose opinion matters, then you're esteemed. Esteemed comes from the verb esteem, which means "to think valuable." If you are esteemed, then people think you're a valuable person to have around, and have a lot of respect for you. If you're hosting a dinner party with a special guest, an elderly man who has traveled the world and written many books, you could introduce him as your esteemed guest.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing esteemed

A Raisin in the Sun

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Henry David Thoreau "Civil Disobedience" (1849)

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But no one expected a live demonstration, and certainly not from one of the esteemed artists featured within the museum’s pristinely pruned collection.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

And this ambivalence proves infectious as they grow up, marry and have a child, with Dick becoming an esteemed novelist while Elle takes up English teaching.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

In doing so, she would join an esteemed group including Serena Williams, Martina Hingis and Steffi Graf.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

His family encouraged him to send it to the esteemed naturalist and helped him track down an address.

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026

Then, in a booming voice, Jillson announced, “And now, everyone, it is our great pleasure to introduce to you the esteemed founder, president, and principal of our beloved Institute: Mr. Ledroptha Curtain!”

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023