admire
/əd'maiə/
Definition
Verb: 1. To regard with respect, warm approval, or delighted wonder: To look at or consider someone or something with a feeling of pleasure and appreciation for their qualities, achievements, or beauty. 2. To hold in high esteem: To feel and express admiration for a person's character, skills, or actions.
Usage and Examples
Admire + person/thing (direct object):
- I really admire your dedication to your studies. (I hold your dedication in high esteem.)
- We stopped to admire the beautiful sunset. (We looked at the sunset with delighted wonder.)
- She admires her grandmother for her strength and wisdom. (She respects her grandmother deeply.)
Admire + reflexive pronoun (to express a self-satisfied or ironic attitude):
- He stood in front of the mirror, admiring himself in his new suit. (He looked at himself with pleasure and approval.)
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "To be admired for something": To be respected because of a specific quality.
- She is widely admired for her honesty and integrity.
- "To admire someone from afar": To admire someone, often romantically, without having a close relationship with them.
- In high school, he spent a year admiring her from afar before he finally spoke to her.
Variants and Related Words
- Admiration (noun): A feeling of respect and approval.
- Her talent filled me with admiration.
- Admirable (adjective): Deserving respect and approval.
- She showed admirable courage in a difficult situation.
- Admirer (noun): A person who admires someone or something, sometimes specifically a romantic suitor.
- She has many admirers of her artwork.
Synonyms
- Respect: To have a high opinion of someone's character or abilities.
- Look up to: To admire and regard as a model (informal).
- Appreciate: To recognize the full worth or quality of something.
- Esteem: To hold in high regard (formal).
Antonyms
- Despise: To feel contempt or a deep repugnance for.
- Look down on: To regard someone as inferior.
- Disdain: To consider unworthy of one's consideration or respect.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- I admire your nerve/guts/cheek!: An expression, often said with surprise or slight disapproval, acknowledging someone's boldness or audacity.
- You told the boss he was wrong? I admire your nerve!
Verb
-
look at with admiration
-
feel admiration for
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