Warm approval rooted in respect for someone's qualities, choices, or work.
Reach for it when expressing esteem that goes deeper than simply liking something
Her patience with nervous learners earned the admiration of the whole class.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
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| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
hero-worship
Fits when devotion is exaggerated or teasingly intense
Careful This expression undermines balanced, credible praise.
everyday
Fits when esteem for character or ability matters without delight
Careful Respect can be cool, dutiful, or granted to an opponent.
warm
Fits when recognition of value or effort should feel grateful
Careful Appreciation need not place its object above the observer.
warm
Fits when affection is stronger than evaluation of merit
Careful Fondness can embrace flaws and does not require admirable qualities.
professional
approval
Fits when a decision or conduct is judged favorably
Careful Approval is a verdict, not necessarily a feeling of respect.
formal
Fits when settled high regard suits professional or ceremonial prose
Careful Esteem lacks the visible warmth often carried by admiration.
literary
Fits when wonder and a sense of greatness dominate the response
Careful Awe creates distance and can overwhelm personal affection.
deep admiration
Lena spoke with deep admiration for the nurses who trained her.
earn admiration
Quietly returning the money helped Tomas earn admiration.
express admiration
The judges expressed admiration for the team's careful research.
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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