admire

[ad-mahyuhr]

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.

admire

/ ədˈmaɪə /

verb

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

2. archaic,  to wonder at

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of admire¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of admire¹

C16: from Latin admīrāri to wonder at, from ad- to, at + mīrāri to wonder, from mīrus wonderful

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be admiring of, to admire.

   He's admiring of his brother's farm.

Example Sentences

Cummins has photographed the band for three decades, and always admired how Oasis fans identified with their working-class insouciance and biting humor.

From Los Angeles Times

I know that many people of all political persuasions admire that someone as talented as you is the living embodiment of social mobility.

From BBC

While Farage is not so widely admired in the wider population, his ratings among voters in general still compare favourably with those of his rivals.

From BBC

“Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones,” his team said on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times

“He’s a guy that I really admire, because he can balance the fun part of baseball but also have that edge.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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