ESTEEM Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'esteem' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of esteem are admire , regard , and respect . While all these words mean "to recognize the worth of a person or thing," esteem implies greater warmth of feeling accompanying a high valuation. // no citizen of the town was more highly esteemed

Q: When is 'admire' a more appropriate choice than 'esteem'?

The words admire and esteem can be used in similar contexts, but admire suggests usually enthusiastic appreciation and often deep affection. // a friend that I truly admire

Q: When is it sensible to use 'regard' instead of 'esteem'?

Although the words regard and esteem have much in common, regard is a general term that is usually qualified. // he is highly regarded in the profession

Q: Where would 'respect' be a reasonable alternative to 'esteem'?

In some situations, the words respect and esteem are roughly equivalent. However, respect implies a considered evaluation or estimation. // after many years they came to respect her views

esteem 1 of 2

noun

i-ˈstēm

Definition of esteem next

as in admiration

a feeling of great approval and liking an athlete who is held in great esteem by her peers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

esteem

2 of 2

verb

as in to regard

to think of in a particular way I had esteemed the whole affair to be a colossal waste of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to respect

to think very highly or favorably of although the works of the Impressionist painters are esteemed today, they met with scorn when they were introduced

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to think

to have as an opinion I should have esteemed it most unlikely that their marriage had any chance of success

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb esteem contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of esteem are admire, regard, and respect. While all these words mean "to recognize the worth of a person or thing," esteem implies greater warmth of feeling accompanying a high valuation.

no citizen of the town was more highly esteemed

When is admire a more appropriate choice than esteem?

The words admire and esteem can be used in similar contexts, but admire suggests usually enthusiastic appreciation and often deep affection.

a friend that I truly admire

When is it sensible to use regard instead of esteem?

Although the words regard and esteem have much in common, regard is a general term that is usually qualified.

he is highly regarded in the profession

Where would respect be a reasonable alternative to esteem?

In some situations, the words respect and esteem are roughly equivalent. However, respect implies a considered evaluation or estimation.

after many years they came to respect her views

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of esteem

Noun

They’re now tasked with overhauling a popular resort course that boasts rolling, sandy terrain and expansive ocean views, but isn’t held in the same esteem as its neighbors. —

Erik Matuszewski, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 But his real legacy was how he was held in such high esteem by everyone who worked with him at the club. —

Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024

Verb

In the Lower East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, esteemed restaurateur Hakki Akdeniz of Champion Pizza and Elia on the River has opened Wabi Nori, a high-end sushi and hand roll bar. —

William Mullane, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024 The Popol Vuh and other Maya traditions written at the time instead indicate human sacrifice may have been esteemed or even an honor, Barquera says, part of keeping the cosmos in balance. —

Byandrew Curry, science.org, 12 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for esteem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for esteem

Noun

Dressed in a bespoke white tuxedo adorned with Schiaparelli’s iconic bronze dove brooch, a symbol of peace and artistic freedom, Dimash took to the stage like a maestro commanding both respect and admiration.

— SPIN Contributor, SPIN, 17 Feb. 2025
Bobby Miller did not know Blake Snell at all, but the mutual admiration went beyond just pleasantries as Miller typed a direct message to the two-time Cy Young winner and his new teammate.

— Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025