Deserving sincere respect because of conduct, character, or effort.
Reach for it when offering moral or personal praise without exaggerating perfection
Her decision to share the credit was admirable, especially after months of solo work.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
everyday
Fits when solid merit and social regard are being acknowledged
Careful Respectable can sound merely adequate when real admiration is intended.
warm
Fits when the example moves other people to act or hope
Careful An admirable choice need not influence anyone else.
professional
Fits when the conduct should serve as a model for others
Careful This sets a higher standard than simple, sincere admiration.
professional
Fits when integrity and adherence to principle are the reason for respect
Careful Effort or skill can be admirable without posing a moral test.
formal
Fits when a specific action deserves explicit approval
Careful The official tone is less natural for affectionate praise of a whole person.
formal
Fits when you want to state directly that conduct merits praise
Careful It can sound like a verdict when a warmer personal note is needed.
literary
Fits when selfless purpose or elevated character defines the act
Careful Ordinary diligence may be admirable but not grand enough for noble.
literary
Fits when deserving respect or attention is enough without naming why
Careful Used alone, worthy may feel vague beside a specific admirable act.
admirable quality
Patience is an admirable quality in someone teaching a first skill.
admirable restraint
Tomas showed admirable restraint when the debate turned personal.
admirable commitment
Her admirable commitment kept the free clinic staffed through winter.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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