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 Beyond her music, these fans admired her philanthropy, from the Imagination Library program that distributes books to children around the world to her US$1 million donation that helped fund COVID-19 vaccine research. — Sarah Dees, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Curry admired the Guinness drawing rooms with their endless pockets of seating and tables spilling over with flowers from the gardens. — Irene Borger, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026 Much like whiteness itself, America can only admire its virtues by strategically omitting most of its own history. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 Bucci admires the modern show’s scale, organization and ambition, describing it as a festival of show jumping, with world-class facilities, footing, hospitality and stabling. — Gemma Redrup, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for admire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for admire

Verb

Momentum really started to build as those moving averages turned higher, with SPOT subsequently respecting them as support throughout much of the next three years.

— Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
The period is respected but never allowed to become stiff or artificial.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of respect

Verb

Junior quarterback Aaron McCormack, who is the coach’s son and ran for a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Justin Slaven, is among the teammates who quickly came to appreciate Harris’ talents.

— Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
One shopper appreciated the cushy insoles, while another called out how surprisingly soft the leather feels.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of appreciate

Verb

Anyone with information regarding Bianca’s case is urged to call the San Antonio Police Department at 210-207-7660 or San Antonio Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7867.

— Dateline NBC, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
The report from the Government Accountability Office found delays and holes in how the Secret Service updates its policies regarding threats, and arrives after a few turbulent years for the agency charged with the president’s protection.

— Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of regard

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admire

admired

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“Admire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admire. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of admire

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