Marvel

v.joyful, thoughtfulwarm

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.

playful
gape
when open-mouthed astonishment is literally or humorously visible
not when Gape can imply rudeness or foolishness and is not respectful praise.
everyday
admire
when approval of skill, beauty, or character matters most
not when Admire does not require surprise or a sense of the extraordinary.
everyday
be amazed
when a strong surprised response needs plain wording
not when Amazement can be negative or neutral and lacks marvel's appreciative tone.
warm
delight in
when pleasure matters more than surprise
not when Delight can come from familiar things that no longer inspire wonder.
warm
wonder
when curiosity and amazement are both active
not when Wonder can mean asking oneself a question without any admiration.
professional
appreciate
when informed recognition of value is the main response
not when Appreciation can be calm and familiar rather than amazed.
formal
be astonished
when the result sharply exceeds expectation
not when Astonishment is stronger and need not include admiration.
literary
be awestruck
when wonder is intense enough to quiet or overwhelm the observer
not when Awestruck overstates mild admiration and can sound promotional.
literary
stand in awe
when the response includes reverence before something vast or powerful
not when The phrase is too solemn for an ingenious small detail.

marvel at
The engineers still marvel at the bridge's elegant load path.
continue to marvel
Children continue to marvel as the paper flower opens in water.
pause to marvel
We paused to marvel at the patience behind the woven panel.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.