verb
1.
to view with an elevated feeling of pleasure
admired the scene that spread out before them
Synonyms: appreciate, cherish, delight (in), relish; compare appreciate 1
Related Word: adore, revere, reverence, venerate, worship
Idioms: go into raptures over, take delight in
Contrasted words: disesteem, disfavor, dislike, disrelish, mislike
Antonyms: disdain
2.
to hold in high esteem
admired his ability to get things done
Synonyms: consider, esteem, regard, respect
Related Word: appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value
Idioms: have ( or hold) a high opinion of, rate highly, set (great) store by, think much ( or highly) of
Contrasted words: abominate, detest, hate, loathe; contemn, despise, disdain, scorn
Antonyms: abhor