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Synonyms

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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. high regard or respect; good opinion

  2. archaic judgment; opinion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

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

By now, the esteemed justice was frenzied, shouting in wonder to the others in the room.

From Literature

“But I think she thinks she’s a beloved teacher and an esteemed professor.”

From Los Angeles Times

And he’s Southern California born and bred, the product of esteemed diamond factory Harvard-Westlake High.

From Los Angeles Times

Our esteemed colleague, Josh Rottenberg, was there and wrote about it.

From Los Angeles Times

There are storylines wherever you look with O'Neill, such is his history with Celtic and the esteem in which he is held by fellow managers and both former and current players.

From BBC