ADMIRE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'admire' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of admire are esteem , regard , and respect . While all these words mean "to recognize the worth of a person or thing," admire suggests usually enthusiastic appreciation and often deep affection. // a friend that I truly admire

Q: When can 'esteem' be used instead of 'admire'?

The words esteem and admire are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, esteem implies greater warmth of feeling accompanying a high valuation. // no citizen of the town was more highly esteemed

Q: Where would 'regard' be a reasonable alternative to 'admire'?

While in some cases nearly identical to admire , regard is a general term that is usually qualified. // he is highly regarded in the profession

Q: When is 'respect' a more appropriate choice than 'admire'?

While the synonyms respect and admire are close in meaning, respect implies a considered evaluation or estimation. // after many years they came to respect her views

admire

verb

əd-ˈmī(-ə)r

Definition of admire

as in to respect

to think very highly or favorably of I admire the way you handled such a touchy situation

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How does the verb admire contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of admire are esteem, regard, and respect. While all these words mean "to recognize the worth of a person or thing," admire suggests usually enthusiastic appreciation and often deep affection.

a friend that I truly admire

When can esteem be used instead of admire?

The words esteem and admire are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, esteem implies greater warmth of feeling accompanying a high valuation.

no citizen of the town was more highly esteemed

Where would regard be a reasonable alternative to admire?

While in some cases nearly identical to admire, regard is a general term that is usually qualified.

he is highly regarded in the profession

When is respect a more appropriate choice than admire?

While the synonyms respect and admire are close in meaning, respect implies a considered evaluation or estimation.

after many years they came to respect her views

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of admire The community has invented a way to admire men for beauty work and to hate women for the same. — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026 Historians generally say the embroidery was produced by English women, whose needlework was admired throughout Europe and praised in Norman sources after the Conquest. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 10 July 2026 Rather than asking consumers to admire another campaign, the bottle itself becomes part of the dining experience. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Ferguson, meanwhile, admired how Tubbs carried himself, like a dead-serious professional. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for admire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for admire

Verb

Leaders must ensure fun is authentic, not forced, respecting professional boundaries and addressing any underlying issues.

— Rick Tollakson, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Beals will play the female lead — and Sam and Nick’s boss — Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robyn Wells, the director of the NCIS New York field office who leads with her intuition and is widely respected by her team.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 July 2026

Definition of respect

Verb

Wider Michelin tires come standard, as does enhanced regenerative braking and handy access panels to make servicing easier – a feature your mechanic will certainly appreciate.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 July 2026
Highbrow reviewers didn't always appreciate their brilliance back then, but looking back all these decades later, many of the best examples still stand up now.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of appreciate

Verb

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a report from the messaging app Kik regarding potential child pornography, Thompson said.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
The lawsuit aims to become a class action and comes after weeks of fierce criticism and complaints from customers regarding the company’s practices.

— Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of regard

Browse Nearby Words

admirations

admire

admired

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Style

“Admire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admire. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of admire

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