admiration
Americannoun
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a feeling of wonder, pleasure, or approval.
- Antonyms:
- condemnation
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the act of looking on or contemplating with pleasure.
admiration of fine paintings.
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an object of wonder, pleasure, or approval.
The dancer was the admiration of everyone.
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Archaic. wonder; astonishment.
noun
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pleasurable contemplation or surprise
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a person or thing that is admired
she was the admiration of the court
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archaic wonder
Other Word Forms
- admirative adjective
- admiratively adverb
- self-admiration noun
- superadmiration noun
Etymology
Origin of admiration
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English admiracion, from Latin admīrātiōn-, stem of admīrātiō; equivalent to admire + -ation
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some historians believe that the treason count was intentionally added by the prosecutors to tie the hands of Gov. Henry Wise, who had expressed some admiration for Brown’s courage and integrity.
From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026
On Reddit, the mood around the sequel is similarly mixed - part admiration, part scepticism, and a fair amount of fatigue with the "hype" around the film.
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
Throughout the LP, the objects of Styles’ admiration — New Order, middle-era Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem — are almost comically obvious.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026
Despite the tension, Sanchez said Friday he had "immense respect for the US presidency and great admiration for American society".
From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026
Beowulf said in admiration, but the thunder of approaching hooves prevented Penelope from correcting him.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.