admire

verb ad·mire \ əd-ˈmī(-ə)r \

Definition of admire

admired; admiring

transitive verb

1 :to feel respect and approval for (someone or something) :to regard with admiration

They all admired her courage.

2 archaic :to marvel at

intransitive verb

dialect :to like very much

… I would admire to know why not …
—A. H. Lewis

—

admirer

noun

See admire defined for English-language learners

See admire defined for kids

Examples of admire in a Sentence

We gazed out the window and admired the scenery.
I admire the way you handled such a touchy situation.

Recent Examples of admire from the Web

Mal de ojo is the belief that an admiring look or a stare can weaken someone, mainly a child, leading to bad luck, even death.

— russell contreras, The Seattle Times, "Native American healing class sparks unique health textbook," 18 July 2017
White hopes that more people will find her gallery and stop by to watch her work and to admire the art.

— katie v. jones, Howard County Times, "New studio/gallery at Savage Mill is 'dream become reality' for artist," 14 July 2017
Though not always admired for its approach, the CNA often gets results — or works up a sweat trying.

— pauline bartolone, Kaiser Health News, "The Union That Roars: Nurses Aren’t Giving Up On California’s Single-Payer Push," 11 July 2017
In a world of Facebook and Google, why would a U.S. Ranger be admired for his physical strength and elemental courage?

— victor davis hanson, National Review, "Trump’s Anti-Cairo Speech," 11 July 2017
Wilson, 70, and Myers, who is in her 60s, have admired each other for years.

— christina oehler, SELF, "These Sweet Engagement Photos Show It’s Never Too Late to Find Love," 7 July 2017
Moreover, Trump’s open admiration of Putin seems to be fueled by the very qualities Putin admires in Stalin: strength, ruthlessness, nationalism, militarism.

— alexander nazaryan, MSNBC Newsweek, "Why Russia Still Loves Josef Stalin, One of the 20th Century's Most Brutal Despots," 7 July 2017
Veil, widely admired in France, will become just the fifth woman laid to rest in the grand mausoleum.

— claire zillman, Fortune, "France Will Bury Its Abortion Rights Champion As a ‘National Hero’," 5 July 2017
The features that people admire in men are a point of criticism in women.

— The Economist, "LiberatedObituary: Simone Veil died on June 30th," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'admire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of admire

Middle French admirer, to marvel at, from Latin admirari, from ad- + mirari to wonder, from mirus astonishing

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First Known Use: 15th century

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admire Synonyms

Synonyms

appreciate, consider, esteem, regard, respect, set store by (or on)

Related Words

acclaim, accredit, applaud, approve, commend, compliment, credit, praise; delight (in), drink (in), enjoy, relish, revel (in), savor (also savour); dig, fancy, favor, groove (on), like, love; adore, adulate, canonize, deify, dote (on), hallow, idolize, revere, reverence, venerate, worship; cherish, love, prize, treasure, value

Near Antonyms

abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe; condemn, decry, deplore, disapprove, discount, discountenance, disdain, disfavor, dislike, dismiss, disregard, frown (on or upon), kiss off, scorn, vilify

Synonym Discussion of admire

regard, respect, esteem, admire mean to recognize the worth of a person or thing. regard is a general term that is usually qualified.

- he is highly regarded in the profession

respect implies a considered evaluation or estimation.

- after many years they came to respect her views

esteem implies greater warmth of feeling accompanying a high valuation.

- no citizen of the town was more highly esteemed

admire suggests usually enthusiastic appreciation and often deep affection.

- a friend that I truly admire

ADMIRE Defined for Kids

admire

verb ad·mire \ əd-ˈmīr \

Definition of admire for Students

admired; admiring

:to think very highly of :feel admiration for

—

admirer

noun

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