esteem

[ih-steem]

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.

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

/ 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

noun

1. high regard or respect; good opinion

2. archaic,  judgment; opinion

Other Word Forms

• preesteem verb (used with object)
• esteemed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of esteem¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of esteem¹

C15: from Old French estimer, from Latin aestimāre _estimate

Synonym Study

See respect.

Example Sentences

She noted how along with hot flushes, brain fog and a low mood, it had brought with it a kind of "low self esteem that you don't expect".

Read more on BBC

This year has seen a rash of closures of highly esteemed venues, including Clearing, Venus Over Manhattan, L.A.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Moving forward, my emotional labor is to make sure that I remain full — full of creativity, joy, faith, emotional health, esteem, curiosity, rest, courage and the vibrancy of life itself.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The satirical story's release comes after the esteemed author's most famous novel, The Handmaid's Tale, was removed from some book shelves because of the province's new rules.

Read more on BBC

Simons quickly became a gem in the Catalan giants' esteemed academy after joining aged seven, and was recognised far beyond it.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• hold dear www.thesaurus.com
• revere 
• value 
• venerate 

When To Use

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.