Esteem
n.thoughtful, kindformal
What it means
Deep, favorable respect for someone's character, worth, or ability.
Reach for it when naming durable respect rather than momentary approval
Her willingness to correct the record earned the esteem of former critics.
Choose between these
6- playful
high marks
when approval can be expressed as an informal evaluation
not when The phrase suggests a performance score rather than lasting personal respect.
- everyday
when recognizing worth, rights, or ability is central
not when Respect can be basic or dutiful, while esteem is distinctly favorable and high.
- warm
when appreciative wonder at a quality is prominent
not when Admiration can focus on talent or beauty without the moral regard of esteem.
- warm
when gratitude for contribution matters
not when Appreciation may concern an act or object and need not include high regard.
- formal
when favorable opinion should sound measured
not when Regard ranges from neutral consideration to affection and is less clearly positive.
- literary
when profound, almost sacred respect is justified
not when Reverence places the person too far above ordinary human regard.
Said against
4- contempt
- disrespect
- scorn
- disdain
It naturally appears in
3- high esteem
Colleagues held the retiring nurse in high esteem.
- earn esteem
Leaders earn esteem by making the difficult correction in public.
- mutual esteem
Mutual esteem allowed the two scholars to disagree without caricature.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English noun, noun sense meaning high regard or respect opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.