esteem

American

[ih-steem] / ɪˈstim /

verb (used with object)

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

I esteem him for his honesty.

Synonyms:

respect, revere, honor

Antonyms:

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

I esteem it worthless.
Obsolete. to set a value on; appraise.

noun

favorable opinion or judgment; respect or regard.

to hold a person in esteem.

Synonyms:

veneration, reverence, honor, admiration, favor
Archaic. opinion or judgment; estimation; valuation.

esteem British

/ ɪˈstiːm /

verb

to have great respect or high regard for

to esteem a colleague
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

high regard or respect; good opinion
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.

Not too long ago, “Bridgerton” was held in the highest esteem in the meeting place between TV fantasy and drab reality.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2026

"Abed loved journalism and held it in high esteem because it documents the truth," his father Samir Shaath told AFP, using his dead son's nickname.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

"All of this is being done for cheap clicks online. Then you get loads of nasty comments which then affect your confidence, your self esteem."

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

Born in El Paso, Gloria grew up in L.A.’s Eastside in a family where John F. Kennedy was held in such esteem that one of her nieces was named Jacqueline.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

I was dismayed to be so fallen from Gertrude’s esteem.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

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