esteem

American  

[ih-steem] / ɪˈstim /

verb (used with object)

1. to regard highly or favorably; regard with respect or admiration.

   I esteem him for his honesty.

   Synonyms:

   respect, revere, honor

   Antonyms:

   disdain

2. to consider as of a certain value or of a certain type; regard.

   I esteem it worthless.

3. Obsolete. to set a value on; appraise.

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noun

1. favorable opinion or judgment; respect or regard.

   to hold a person in esteem.

   Synonyms:

   veneration, reverence, honor, admiration, favor

2. Archaic. opinion or judgment; estimation; valuation.

esteem British  

/ ɪˈstiːm /

verb

1. to have great respect or high regard for

   to esteem a colleague

2. formal to judge or consider; deem

   to esteem an idea improper

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noun

1. high regard or respect; good opinion

2. archaic judgment; opinion

Usage

What are other ways to say esteem? If you esteem someone, you hold them in high regard. How is esteem different from appreciate, value, and prize? Find out on Thesaurus.com. 

Related Words

See respect.

Other Word Forms

• esteemed adjective
• preesteem verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of esteem

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English estemen, from Middle French estimer, from Latin aestimāre “to fix the value of”

Example Sentences

Frank was esteemed, but above all he fulfilled the goal he had set for himself, and like the unknown sculptor of the Charioteer, his work emanated emotion through the inert materials of his craft.

From Los Angeles Times

Before becoming a TV producer, Hubert served as an esteemed chef.

From MarketWatch

Kelly portrays Sydney Price, an ambitious, American executive angling to acquire Chateau Cassell, an esteemed Champagne house in the French countryside.

From Los Angeles Times

Wyeth and Maxfield Parrish—retained critical and popular esteem, but most were ignored by middle-class tastemakers or maligned as conduits of cultural degeneration.

From The Wall Street Journal

“That is to say, hello, to all current and former Swanburne girls, to the faculty, and to the esteemed board of trustees. Hello, hello, hello! Thank you all, so much, for coming here today.”

From Literature

Related Words

• hold dear
• revere
• value
• venerate