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

as in admiration

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

But according to Dietrich’s daughter Maria Riva, whose 1992 biography of her mother Lim liberally quotes from, Dietrich privately did not hold Wong in the highest esteem. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2026 Today’s tycoons learn a lesson from history — public esteem for rich entrepreneurs inevitably sours, columnist Michael Hiltzik argues. — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

Fauci was director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for decades, and for much of that time he was esteemed by politicians on both sides of the aisle. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 28 July 2026 Both companies have long been esteemed for their practices in ethical aquaculture. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for esteem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for esteem

Noun

What readers are saying The conversation explores the personal journey of the author in managing OCD, with many participants expressing admiration for the author's self-awareness and bravery in seeking help.

— Eva Jaber, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
The Country Music Hall of Famer and Kansas City have enjoyed a relationship of mutual admiration for decades.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of admiration

Verb

Created by Sorkin, the beloved NBC series ran from 1999 to 2006 and is widely regarded as one of the best TV shows of all time.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
The conflicting signals have complicated the expectations game regarding the Federal Reserve's next move.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of regard

Verb

Matsumoto said the company respected Dwarf’s creativity and was prepared to pay enough, but full funding would have left the studio with no control over a highly original project.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Cultural sensitivities around Sherpas handling a dead body would also need to be respected, said Dawa.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of respect

Verb

Also consider what your preferred format of communication is, whether that be live chat or a phone line, and if a particular brokerage offers that.

— Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026
Large rental agencies often don’t bother recovering vehicles that disappear across the border, and consider the loss the cost of doing business, Carter said.

— Steve Fisher Special Correspondent Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of consider

Verb

As of February of this year, Eschenbach is out and Bhusri has, in a maneuver that Disney’s Bob Iger might admire, boomeranged back into the hot seat for one last job, Ocean’s Eleven style.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
There's so much to admire about scouting - young people away from screens, spending time in nature, doing community service, and gaining life and leadership skills.

— Juli McDonald, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of admire

Verb

Alderman maintains that each of the defendants have continued to lie to protect themselves and believes there is evidence of satanic worship.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2026
His eldest son Théo Saujet worked on the scent Les Caves, inspired by the iconic Saint-Tropez night club Les Caves du Roy, which Thomas Saujet believes will be the most multigenerational of all the fragrances.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of believe

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estate taxes

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“Esteem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/esteem. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of esteem

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