Admiration
n.joyful, thoughtfulwarm
What it means
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.
Choose between these
7- playful
hero-worship
devotion is exaggerated or teasingly intense
not when This expression undermines balanced, credible praise.
- everyday
esteem for character or ability matters without delight
not when Respect can be cool, dutiful, or granted to an opponent.
- warm
recognition of value or effort should feel grateful
not when Appreciation need not place its object above the observer.
- warm
affection is stronger than evaluation of merit
not when Fondness can embrace flaws and does not require admirable qualities.
- professional
approval
a decision or conduct is judged favorably
not when Approval is a verdict, not necessarily a feeling of respect.
- formal
settled high regard suits professional or ceremonial prose
not when Esteem lacks the visible warmth often carried by admiration.
- literary
wonder and a sense of greatness dominate the response
not when Awe creates distance and can overwhelm personal affection.
Said against
3- contempt
- disdain
- disapproval
It naturally appears in
3- 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.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English noun sense: warm approval or respect opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.