admire

v.

1. To have regard for

   esteem, honor, applaud, praise, extol, respect, approve, revere, venerate, eulogize, panegyrize, laud, boost, glorify, reverence, hold dear, appreciate, credit, commend, favor, value, treasure, prize, look up to, rate highly, pay homage to, idolize, adore, worship, hail, put a high price on, regard with approbation, have a high opinion of, regard highly, wonder at, marvel at, think highly of, value highly, esteem highly, regard as fine, consider brilliant, think wonderful, hold in esteem, hold in respect, think well of, show deference to, set store by*, put on a pedestal*, make an ado about*, think the world of*.

   Antonyms censure*, deride*, deprecate. *

2. To be fond of or delighted with

   cherish, contemplate pleasurably, delight in, relish; see like 1, 2. See syn. study atregard.