admire

[ ad-mahyuhr ]

verb (used with object)

, ad·mired, ad·mir·ing.

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)

, ad·mired, ad·mir·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• adˈmiring, adjective
• adˈmiringly, adverb
• adˈmirer, noun

Other Words From

• ad·mir·er noun
• pre·ad·mire verb (used with object) preadmired preadmiring
• qua·si-ad·mire verb quasiadmired quasiadmiring
• un·ad·mired adjective

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, Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. to admire:

   He's admiring of his brother's farm.

Example Sentences

Bautista said she admires Trump for what she describes as his business acumen, and said she owns three of his books.

From Los Angeles Times

These glaring differences aside, Trump does seem to admire Xi’s strongman image.

From BBC

His wife of 20 years, Samira, is a former beauty queen who is widely admired for her chic outfits.

From BBC

Butler said some fellow senators seemed surprised as they admired how articulate she was, and recounted hearing “blatant Aunt Jemima” jokes.

From Los Angeles Times

With an obduracy that Trump no doubt admired, Stefanik refused to resign.

From Salon

Related Words

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