To admire someone or something is to feel strong respect or approval for them, often because of their abilities, qualities, or appearance. It can also mean to look at something with pleasure.
From Latin 'admirari', meaning 'to wonder at', from 'ad-' (at) + 'mirari' (to wonder). The original sense was closer to amazement than quiet respect.
Admire is really about 'wondering at' someone—your mind pauses for a second in surprise. That’s why you can admire a sunset and a scientist in the same breath: both make you feel, 'Wow, look at that.'
To admire has been used asymmetrically: men were encouraged to admire women’s looks, while women were encouraged to admire men’s status and achievements. This reinforced unequal expectations about what makes someone worthy of admiration.
Use “admire” for a wide range of qualities—intellect, integrity, creativity, resilience—across all genders, and avoid reducing admiration of women to appearance alone.
["respect","value","appreciate"]
Many women have been admired within communities for their leadership and expertise even when broader historical narratives overlooked them; bringing those stories forward helps rebalance recognition.
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