Respect vs. Esteem — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 15, 2023
Respect is the regard for the rights, feelings, or traditions of others, while esteem is the admiration or high regard for someone based on their abilities or qualities.
Difference Between Respect and Esteem
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Key Differences
Respect is primarily about acknowledging the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals. It's the recognition that everyone, irrespective of their background, opinions, or beliefs, deserves courtesy and understanding. On the other hand, esteem is a more specific feeling of admiration and respect towards someone because of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
One can respect someone without necessarily holding them in high esteem. For instance, you might respect a coworker's right to their opinion without esteeming their judgment or expertise. Conversely, esteem implies a level of respect but accentuated by admiration or a high regard for someone's specific qualities or abilities.
In a societal context, respect often underscores the general principle of treating all members of society fairly and kindly. It's a foundational tenet of coexistence. Esteem, meanwhile, is often reserved for those who've demonstrated exceptional skills, wisdom, or accomplishments.
At its core, respect acts as a baseline of human interaction, promoting tolerance and understanding. Esteem, though intertwined with respect, adds a layer of admiration, indicating that someone stands out in a specific domain.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Regard for rights or feelings of others
Admiration based on qualities or achievements
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Scope
Broad and universal
More specific and individualized
Basis
Inherent worth of individuals
Exceptional skills, wisdom, or accomplishments
Application
Foundation for all interactions
Given to those who stand out in a domain
Emotional Weight
Courtesy and understanding
Admiration and high regard
Compare with Definitions
Respect
Due regard for the feelings or rights of others.
She treated everyone with respect, regardless of their status.
Esteem
Appraisal or valuation.
In my esteem, the painting is priceless.
Respect
A particular aspect or detail.
The plan is good in some respects but needs revision in others.
Esteem
To regard with respect coupled with a sense of worth.
I truly esteem her for her tireless dedication to the cause.
Respect
Respect, also called esteem, is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important or held in high esteem or regard. It conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities.
Esteem
Consider to be of a particular quality or value.
She esteems honesty above all else.
Respect
A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem
I have great respect for your work.
Esteem
To regard with respect; prize.
Respect
The state of being regarded with honor or esteem
A leader held in the greatest respect.
Esteem
To regard as; consider
Esteemed it an honor to help them.
Respect
Consideration or appreciation
Can't you at least give me some respect?.
Esteem
Favorable regard; respect.
Respect
Due regard for something considered important or authoritative
Respect for the law.
Esteem
(Archaic) Judgment; opinion.
Respect
A particular aspect, feature, or detail
In many respects this is an important decision.
Esteem
Favourable regard.
We hold her in high esteem.
Respect
Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.
Esteem
To set a high value on; to regard with respect or reverence.
Respect
To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or admire
All the other scholars respect her.
Esteem
To regard something as valuable; to prize.
Respect
To avoid interfering with or intruding upon
Please respect my privacy.
Esteem
To look upon something in a particular way.
Mary is an esteemed member of the community.
Respect
To avoid violating
I respected the speed limit throughout the trip.
Esteem
(obsolete) To judge; to estimate; to appraise
The Earth, which I esteem unable to reflect the rays of the Sun.
Respect
To relate or refer to; concern
As respects the rights of land owners, this law says nothing.
Esteem
To set a value on; to appreciate the worth of; to estimate; to value; to reckon.
Then he forsook God, which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Thou shouldst (gentle reader) esteem his censure and authority to be of the more weighty credence.
Famous men, - whose scientific attainments were esteemed hardly less than supernatural.
Respect
(uncountable) an attitude of consideration or high regard
He is an intellectual giant, and I have great respect for him.
We do respect people for their dignity and worth.
Esteem
To set a high value on; to prize; to regard with reverence, respect, or friendship.
Will he esteem thy riches?
You talk kindlier: we esteem you for it.
Respect
(uncountable) good opinion, honor, or admiration
Esteem
To form an estimate; to have regard to the value; to consider.
We ourselves esteem not of that obedience, or love, or gift, which is of force.
Respect
Polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death.
The mourners paid their last respects to the deceased poet.
Esteem
Estimation; opinion of merit or value; hence, valuation; reckoning; price.
Most dear in the esteemAnd poor in worth!
I will deliver you, in ready coin,The full and dear'st esteem of what you crave.
Respect
(countable) a particular aspect, feature or detail of something
This year's model is superior to last year's in several respects.
Esteem
High estimation or value; great regard; favorable opinion, founded on supposed worth.
Nor should thy prowess want praise and esteem.
Respect
Good will; favor
Esteem
The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);
It is held in esteem
A man who has earned high regard
Respect
To have respect for.
She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.
Esteem
A feeling of delighted approval and liking
Respect
To have regard for something, to observe a custom, practice, rule or right.
I respect your right to hold that belief, although I think it is nonsense.
I respect your right to feel offended, even though most people, myself included, totally disagree and don’t find the comment offensive in the slightest.
Esteem
An attitude of admiration or esteem;
She lost all respect for him
Respect
To abide by an agreement.
They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.
Esteem
Regard highly; think much of;
I respect his judgement
We prize his creativity
Respect
To take notice of; to regard as worthy of special consideration; to heed.
Esteem
Look on as or consider;
She looked on this affair as a joke
He thinks of himself as a brilliant musician
He is reputed to be intelligent
Respect
To relate to; to be concerned with.
Esteem
Respect and admiration for someone or something.
The scientist was held in high esteem by his peers.
Respect
(obsolete) To regard; to consider; to deem.
Esteem
Favorable regard or high opinion.
His character and kindness earned him the esteem of many.
Respect
(obsolete) To look toward; to face.
Respect
(Jamaica) hello, hi
Respect
To take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed.
Thou respectest not spilling Edward's blood.
In orchards and gardens, we do not so much respect beauty as variety of ground for fruits, trees, and herbs.
Respect
To consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor.
Respect
To look toward; to front upon or toward.
Palladius adviseth the front of his house should so respect the uth.
Respect
To regard; to consider; to deem.
To whom my father gave this name of Gaspar,And as his own respected him to death.
Respect
To have regard to; to have reference to; to relate to; as, the treaty particularly respects our commerce.
Respect
The act of noticing with attention; the giving particular consideration to; hence, care; caution.
But he it well did ward with wise respect.
Respect
Esteem; regard; consideration; honor.
Seen without awe, and served without respect.
The same men treat the Lord's Day with as little respect.
Respect
An expression of respect of deference; regards; as, to send one's respects to another.
Respect
Reputation; repute.
Many of the best respect in Rome.
Respect
Particular; point regarded; point of view; as, in this respect; in any respect; in all respects.
Everything which is imperfect, as the world must be acknowledged in many respects.
In one respect I'll be thy assistant.
Respect
Relation; reference; regard.
They believed but one Supreme Deity, which, with respect to the various benefits men received from him, had several titles.
Respect
Consideration; motive; interest.
To the publik goodPrivate respects must yield.
Respect
(usually preceded by `in') a detail or point;
It differs in that respect
Respect
The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);
It is held in esteem
A man who has earned high regard
Respect
An attitude of admiration or esteem;
She lost all respect for him
Respect
A courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard;
His deference to her wishes was very flattering
Be sure to give my respects to the dean
Respect
Behavior intended to please your parents;
Their children were never very strong on obedience
He went to law school out of respect for his father's wishes
Respect
A feeling of friendship and esteem;
She mistook his manly regard for love
He inspires respect
Respect
Courteous regard for people's feelings;
In deference to your wishes
Out of respect for his privacy
Respect
Regard highly; think much of;
I respect his judgement
We prize his creativity
Respect
Show respect towards;
Honor your parents!
Respect
Admiration felt or shown for someone or something.
His respect for the laws of nature was evident.
Respect
Abstinence from harming or interfering.
He had the respect to not pry into her personal matters.
Respect
Honor or esteem felt or shown.
The community held her in great respect for her contributions.
Common Curiosities
Is respect always earned?
Basic respect is a right; however, deeper respect or admiration often needs to be earned.
Can you esteem someone you don't respect?
Typically, esteem includes respect, so it's rare to esteem someone you don't respect.
Does esteem imply superiority?
Not necessarily. Esteem reflects admiration, which can exist without a sense of superiority.
Can you have self-esteem without self-respect?
They often go hand-in-hand, but it's possible to value one's abilities (self-esteem) without adhering to personal principles (self-respect).
How can someone gain esteem?
By demonstrating exceptional skills, wisdom, or accomplishments in a domain.
Can you respect someone's skills but not the person?
Yes, it's possible to respect aspects of someone without respecting the individual as a whole.
Are respect and esteem interchangeable?
While they overlap, they're not entirely synonymous; esteem carries an additional weight of admiration.
What's more personal: respect or esteem?
Esteem is often more personal, as it's based on specific qualities or achievements.
Is respect a universal concept?
The idea of respect is found globally, but its exact manifestations may vary culturally.
Can you lose respect but maintain esteem?
It's possible, though uncommon. One might still admire abilities but lose respect due to other actions.
Is respect tied to age?
In some cultures, age commands automatic respect. However, respect is multifaceted and isn't solely age-dependent.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
