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

The retrospective seems to hold a special place of esteem in Locarno among festival-goers. — John Bleasdale, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 James, the guy with four NBA titles, for three different teams, who is also the league’s all-time leading scorer, a 21-time all-NBA selection and a 22-time All-Star, holds Brown in higher esteem. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Verb

Both had esteemed lives off the track, as well. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026 Kokin was a name repeated often throughout the event, as was esteemed Upper East Side milliner Suzanne, who was also in attendance. — Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for esteem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for esteem

Noun

Sabrina is no Dolly, which isn’t a knock but a comment on the impossibility of any new artist ever enjoying the level of admiration and adoration that Parton did for most of her life.

— David Kamp, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Rapper Eminem expressed his admiration and sorrow at never getting to meet her.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of admiration

Verb

Anyone with information regarding Bianca’s case is urged to call the San Antonio Police Department at 210-207-7660 or San Antonio Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7867.

— Dateline NBC, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
The report from the Government Accountability Office found delays and holes in how the Secret Service updates its policies regarding threats, and arrives after a few turbulent years for the agency charged with the president’s protection.

— Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of regard

Verb

Momentum really started to build as those moving averages turned higher, with SPOT subsequently respecting them as support throughout much of the next three years.

— Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
The period is respected but never allowed to become stiff or artificial.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of respect

Verb

And think about Afghanistan as well, a huge military advantage there, but as US forces were finally being pulled out of there, the Taliban were once again taking control.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Two workers at Germany's Frankfurt airport who caught malaria from a mosquito thought to have arrived on a plane have died, the city's health authority said this week.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of think

Verb

Flowers, who has been sidelined from practice in recent days, is believed to be dealing with a minor hamstring injury.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Lamas claimed that Jackie believed that there was a link between her husband’s death and that of Marilyn Monroe, who died in 1962.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of believe

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estate taxes

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Style

“Esteem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/esteem. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of esteem

noun

verb

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