misesteem: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Very Low (Literary/Rare)
UK/ˌmɪs.ɪˈstiːm/US/ˌmɪs.əˈstim/

Formal, Literary, Archaic

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “misesteem” mean?

To have a wrong or inaccurate opinion of the value, worth, or importance of someone or something.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

To have a wrong or inaccurate opinion of the value, worth, or importance of someone or something.

To hold in low regard; to undervalue or underestimate; to fail to appreciate properly.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage; the word is equally rare in both varieties.

Connotations

Equally formal/literary in both.

Frequency

Extremely low and declining in both; slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical texts.

Grammar

How to Use “misesteem” in a Sentence

[Subject] misesteems [Object][Subject] is misesteemed by [Agent]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
profoundly misesteemgrossly misesteemto misesteem someone's contribution
medium
tend to misesteemdanger of misesteemingmisesteem the value
weak
misesteem the importancemisesteem his abilities

Examples

Examples of “misesteem” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The biographer warned against the tendency to misesteem the early works of the composer.
  • One should not misesteem the tactical value of a strong defence.

American English

  • Critics often misesteem popular films, focusing only on artistic merit.
  • It is easy to misesteem the quiet contributions of support staff.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used. 'Undervalue' or 'underestimate' are universal.

Academic

Extremely rare, may appear in historical or literary criticism texts discussing themes of reputation.

Everyday

Not used.

Technical

Not used.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “misesteem”

Weak

underappreciatefail to appreciatenot value enough

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “misesteem”

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “misesteem”

  • Using it in speech or modern writing; misspelling as 'misesteam' or 'misesteeme'; using it as a noun (the noun is 'misestimation').

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is extremely rare and considered formal or archaic. In almost all modern contexts, 'undervalue', 'underestimate', or 'underrate' should be used instead.

Not directly. The corresponding noun is 'misestimation' or the phrase 'lack of esteem'. 'Misesteem' itself is primarily a verb.

'Misesteem' means to judge the value or worth incorrectly (you could misesteem something by valuing it too high or too low, though it typically implies undervaluing). 'Disesteem' means to hold in low regard or active disrespect.

For most learners, it is only important to recognize it as a passive vocabulary item when reading older texts. Active use is not recommended, as it will sound unnatural.

To have a wrong or inaccurate opinion of the value, worth, or importance of someone or something.

Misesteem is usually formal, literary, archaic in register.

Misesteem: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪs.ɪˈstiːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪs.əˈstim/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • None specific to this word.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: MIS (wrong) + ESTEEM (value/regard) = to value wrongly.

Conceptual Metaphor

JUDGMENT IS MEASUREMENT (a flawed measurement of worth).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
It is a common human failing to the contributions of those who work behind the scenes.
Multiple Choice

In which context would the verb 'misesteem' be MOST appropriate?

misesteem: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore