Well-respected

adj.thoughtful, kindprofessional

What it means

Held in strong and widespread esteem for character, judgment, or achievement.

Reach for it when giving a person or institution a robust endorsement based on reputation

The well-respected mediator never asked either side to trade dignity for speed.

playful
looked up to
when personal admiration should sound natural and warm
not when Looked up to can imply hierarchy and is too informal for formal endorsement.
everyday
trusted
when confidence in honesty or reliability is the exact strength
not when Trust can be private and does not necessarily indicate broad esteem.
warm
admired
when people feel active appreciation for visible qualities
not when Admiration may focus on talent while trust in judgment remains unproven.
professional
credible
when statements or expertise deserve belief
not when Credibility is narrower and can attach to one topic rather than the whole person.
professional
reputable
when sound public standing is the required assurance
not when Reputable is a lower, more institutional standard than being widely respected.
formal
distinguished
when notable achievement or service sets someone apart
not when Distinguished emphasizes accomplishment and status, not how others regard the person.
formal
esteemed
when ceremonial or scholarly respect should sound elevated
not when Esteemed can feel ornate in a resume or ordinary recommendation.
literary
venerated
when profound, long-standing reverence is genuinely intended
not when Venerated is far too strong for ordinary professional respect.

well-respected leader
The well-respected leader shared bad news early and accepted questions without defensiveness.
well-respected member
A well-respected member of the team, Luis gave junior staff visible credit.
well-respected judge
The well-respected judge was also careful to disclose every conflict.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.