To feel warm respect or appreciative pleasure toward someone or something.
Reach for it when expressing esteem that may include both character and ability
Rosa admires how Lena asks for evidence without making anyone feel foolish.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
everyday
Fits when the admiration needs to be expressed in words
Careful One can admire silently, while praise requires outward approval.
everyday
Fits when esteem for character, ability, or boundaries is central
Careful Respect can exist without the warm pleasure or aspiration of admiration.
warm
Fits when recognizing value or effort is more important than looking up to someone
Careful Appreciation is gentler and may not imply elevated regard.
warm
Fits when deep personal affection and treasured attachment are intended
Careful It is too intimate for professional esteem or distant admiration.
professional
Fits when you openly approve a specific action or decision
Careful Applause praises the act, not necessarily the person as a whole.
professional
Fits when importance or usefulness is what you want to recognize
Careful A contribution can matter greatly without inspiring admiration for its creator.
formal
Fits when high regard should sound measured and dignified
Careful The formal word can feel emotionally distant in a personal message.
literary
Fits when profound, almost solemn respect is truly appropriate
Careful Ordinary admiration should not be raised to reverence.
deeply admire
The apprentices deeply admire the patience she brings to difficult conversations.
admire the courage
People admire the courage it took to change direction publicly.
much admired
Her calm fairness made her a much admired referee.
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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