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Synonyms

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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The Unilever Foods business is one we have long admired, with a portfolio that complements our existing business, capabilities and long-term vision,” Foley said.

From MarketWatch

Pfizer has performed well against pharma peers since January, and I admire how much better it is remaining near the $27.50 area this time compared with last October.

From Barron's

I admire Stones so much as a person that I hope he gets enough football and game time to trust his body with the various injury problems he has had to contend with.

From BBC

"We were all just super stoked to be working with Saoirse as each one of us admires her and her work," Coles said.

From BBC

"You were a constant, a guiding force, and to me, someone I admired and learned from - like a big sister, a woman of immense heart, wisdom, and generosity."

From BBC