admire

American  

[ad-mahyuhr] / ædˈmaɪər /

verb (used with object)

admired, admiring

1. to regard with wonder, pleasure, or approval.

   Synonyms:

   venerate, revere, esteem

   Antonyms:

   despise

2. to regard with wonder or surprise (usually used ironically or sarcastically).

   I admire your audacity.

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verb (used without object)

admired, admiring

1. to feel or express admiration.

2. Dialect. to take pleasure; like or desire.

   I would admire to go.

idioms

1. be admiring of, to admire.

   He's admiring of his brother's farm.

admire British  

/ ədˈmaɪə /

verb

1. to regard with esteem, respect, approval, or pleased surprise

2. archaic to wonder at

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Other Word Forms

• admirer noun
• admiring adjective
• admiringly adverb
• preadmire verb (used with object)
• quasi-admire verb
• unadmired adjective

Etymology

Origin of admire

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin admīrārī, equivalent to ad- ad- + mīrārī (in Medieval Latin mīrāre ) “to wonder at, admire”

Example Sentences

Prevost was little known to the wider public except in Peru, where he was greatly admired during his more than 20 years as a missionary and bishop.

From The Wall Street Journal

He admired the scenery in Cuba and said he was happy it wasn’t “in a hurricane zone.”

From Salon

Curators say they’re looking at her oeuvre more closely now because her influence on younger artists keeps expanding, lately to those with disabilities who admire her raw, vulnerable portrayal of her own pain.

From The Wall Street Journal

Crystal Palace's Wharton is certainly admired at United, but whether he fits the sort of profile the club are looking for is unclear.

From BBC

If you admired a cushion or a book in her apartment, she was apt to insist you accept it as a gift.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• adore
• applaud
• appreciate
• cherish
• commend
• credit
• extol
• hail
• honor
• idolize
• laud
• marvel at
• praise
• prize
• respect
• revere
• treasure
• worship