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

She admires the range of ranchero wear and tells me she’s looking for something fun to wear to go dancing later in the week.

From Los Angeles Times

“While we admire CEO Narayen as a living legend in software industry, we agree it is time for a change given massive industry shift due to AI,” Jefferies’s Brent Thill said.

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s plenty to disagree with him about, and we don’t need to like or admire him.

From The Wall Street Journal

One must first admire the accumulation with strong weekly candles for the weeks ending June 6, Aug. 8, and Sept. 12 that all screamed higher by 31%, 32%, and 38% respectively.

From Barron's

The book was a touchstone in her own life, because she admired its heroine’s courage even if she never had the courage to emulate it.

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