Marvel
What it means
To feel or express delighted wonder at something extraordinary.
Reach for it when describing attentive amazement that carries admiration rather than disbelief alone
Visitors marvel at how the tiny gears keep perfect time.
Words to choose between 9
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
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| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
gape
Fits when open-mouthed astonishment is literally or humorously visible
Careful Gape can imply rudeness or foolishness and is not respectful praise.
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everyday
Fits when approval of skill, beauty, or character matters most
Careful Admire does not require surprise or a sense of the extraordinary.
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everyday
be amazed
Fits when a strong surprised response needs plain wording
Careful Amazement can be negative or neutral and lacks marvel's appreciative tone.
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warm
delight in
Fits when pleasure matters more than surprise
Careful Delight can come from familiar things that no longer inspire wonder.
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warm
Fits when curiosity and amazement are both active
Careful Wonder can mean asking oneself a question without any admiration.
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professional
Fits when informed recognition of value is the main response
Careful Appreciation can be calm and familiar rather than amazed.
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formal
be astonished
Fits when the result sharply exceeds expectation
Careful Astonishment is stronger and need not include admiration.
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literary
be awestruck
Fits when wonder is intense enough to quiet or overwhelm the observer
Careful Awestruck overstates mild admiration and can sound promotional.
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literary
stand in awe
Fits when the response includes reverence before something vast or powerful
Careful The phrase is too solemn for an ingenious small detail.
Opposites 3
- disregard
- dismiss
- take for granted
Common phrases 3
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marvel at
The engineers still marvel at the bridge's elegant load path.
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continue to marvel
Children continue to marvel as the paper flower opens in water.
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pause to marvel
We paused to marvel at the patience behind the woven panel.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Neskaya, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated