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

• esteemed adjective
• preesteem verb (used with object)

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

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But disappointingly for Frank, the Instagram reel did not catch the attention of the esteemed fashion institute that was currently working on a show about Black male sartorial self-representation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This had a devastating impact on Nadia's self esteem - something she'd worked hard to restore after going through a difficult period in her life.

Read more on BBC

It’s no secret that Stewart is the “Queen of Domesticity,” but with it comes another esteemed moniker: “Queen of Halloween.”

Read more on Salon

Princeton University possesses one of the oldest and most esteemed art collections in America.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.