esteem
n. uncountablen. the respect and admiration that people have for someone or something. When you hold someone in high esteem, you think they are very important or talented.
n. respect and admiration, typically for a person's character or achievements. Often used in the prepositional phrase 'in high esteem' to indicate a high level of social or professional regard.
The retired teacher is held in high esteem by the whole community.
After years of honest service, she earned the esteem of her colleagues and was promoted to director.
The loss of public esteem can be more damaging to a politician's career than any specific policy failure, as trust is notoriously difficult to rebuild once it has been eroded.
First at end of 16th century; borrowed from Middle French estimer, borrowed from Latin aestimō. See estimate and aim, an older word, partly a doublet.
Commonly follows the verb 'hold' and is modified by 'high' or 'great'.