Antonyms for Admire: Expanding Your English Vocabulary

Understanding antonyms is crucial for effective communication. Antonyms enrich our vocabulary and allow us to express contrasting ideas with precision.

This article focuses on antonyms for the verb “admire,” exploring various words that convey the opposite sentiment. Mastering these antonyms will enhance your ability to articulate disapproval, dislike, or lack of respect.

This guide is suitable for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers, as well as educators and writers seeking to refine their word choice.

By delving into the nuances of these words, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the English language and improve your overall communication skills. This comprehensive guide will provide you with definitions, examples, and practice exercises to master the antonyms of “admire.”

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of “Admire”
3. Structural Breakdown of “Admire”
4. Types of Antonyms
5. Antonyms for Admire by Category
   • Antonyms Expressing Dislike
   • Antonyms Expressing Disapproval
   • Antonyms Expressing Contempt
   • Antonyms Expressing Criticism
   • Antonyms Expressing Indifference
6. Examples of Antonyms in Sentences
7. Usage Rules for Antonyms of “Admire”
8. Common Mistakes When Using Antonyms
9. Practice Exercises
10. Advanced Topics: Nuances and Connotations
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Conclusion

Definition of “Admire”

The verb “admire” means to regard with respect, approval, or warm approval; to look up to someone or something. It implies a sense of appreciation, often for qualities considered excellent or desirable.

“Admire” can also denote a feeling of wonder or pleasure when observing something beautiful or impressive. The feeling of admiration is often associated with respect or awe.

In essence, “admire” signifies a positive evaluation and emotional response towards a person, object, or idea. This positive evaluation often stems from recognizing superior qualities or achievements.

Structural Breakdown of “Admire”

“Admire” is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. The basic sentence structure is: Subject + Verb (admire) + Object. For example: “I admire her courage.” Here, “I” is the subject, “admire” is the verb, and “her courage” is the object.

The verb “admire” can also be used in different tenses (e.g., admired, admiring, will admire) to indicate the timing of the action. Additionally, it can be modified by adverbs to specify the degree or manner of admiration (e.g., greatly admire, sincerely admire).

The word “admire” comes from the Latin admirari, meaning “to wonder at.” This etymology reveals its historical connection to feelings of awe and surprise.

Types of Antonyms

Antonyms, or words with opposite meanings, can be classified into three main types:

• Gradable Antonyms: These antonyms lie on a continuous spectrum. For example, “hot” and “cold” are gradable antonyms because there are intermediate temperatures between them.
• Complementary Antonyms: These antonyms represent mutually exclusive categories. If one is true, the other must be false. For example, “alive” and “dead” are complementary antonyms.
• Relational Antonyms: These antonyms describe a relationship from opposite perspectives. For example, “buy” and “sell” are relational antonyms because one cannot exist without the other.

When seeking antonyms for “admire,” we primarily encounter gradable and relational antonyms. Gradable antonyms capture varying degrees of disapproval or dislike, while relational antonyms reflect the opposite perspective in a relationship of respect or appreciation.

Antonyms for Admire by Category

The antonyms for “admire” can be grouped into several categories, each reflecting a different aspect of the opposite sentiment. These categories include dislike, disapproval, contempt, criticism, and indifference.

Antonyms Expressing Dislike

These antonyms convey a feeling of aversion or displeasure towards someone or something. They suggest a lack of positive regard.

• Dislike: To have a feeling of distaste or aversion.
• Hate: To feel intense or passionate dislike.
• Loathe: To feel intense dislike or disgust.
• Detest: To dislike intensely; abhor.
• Abhor: To regard with disgust and hatred.

Antonyms Expressing Disapproval

These antonyms express a negative judgment or unfavorable opinion. They indicate a lack of acceptance or endorsement.

• Disapprove: To have or express an unfavorable opinion.
• Condemn: To express complete disapproval of; censure.
• Criticize: To express disapproval of (someone or something) based on perceived faults or mistakes.
• Denounce: To publicly declare to be wrong or evil.
• Reprove: To reprimand or censure.

Antonyms Expressing Contempt

These antonyms convey a feeling of scorn or disdain. They suggest a belief that someone or something is worthless or despicable.

• Despise: To feel contempt or deep repugnance for.
• Scorn: To feel or express contempt or disdain for.
• Disdain: To regard or treat with contempt; to look down on.
• Deride: To express contempt for; ridicule.
• Mock: To tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner.

Antonyms Expressing Criticism

These antonyms involve expressing negative opinions or judgments about someone or something, often pointing out flaws or shortcomings.

• Censure: To express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement.
• Rebuke: To express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions.
• Reprimand: To address a sharp or formal criticism to (someone).
• Admonish: To warn or reprimand someone firmly.
• Castigate: To reprimand (someone) severely.

Antonyms Expressing Indifference

These antonyms suggest a lack of interest or concern. They indicate a neutral or apathetic attitude.

• Disregard: To pay no attention to; ignore.
• Overlook: To fail to notice something.
• Ignore: To refuse to take notice of or acknowledge; disregard intentionally.
• Neglect: To fail to care for properly.
• Dismiss: To treat as unworthy of serious consideration.

Examples of Antonyms in Sentences

The following tables provide examples of how antonyms for “admire” can be used in sentences. Each table focuses on a different category of antonyms, illustrating their specific meanings and contexts.

Table 1: Antonyms Expressing Dislike

This table provides sentences using antonyms that express dislike for someone or something.

Sentence Using “Admire”	Sentence Using Antonym
I admire her dedication to her work.	I dislike her constant complaining.
They admire his artistic talent.	They hate his arrogance.
She admired the beauty of the sunset.	She loathes the taste of broccoli.
We admire their courage in the face of adversity.	We detest their discriminatory practices.
He admired the craftsmanship of the antique furniture.	He abhors the violence in those movies.
The students admire their professor’s knowledge.	The students dislike the long lectures.
The critics admired the actor’s performance.	The critics hated the movie’s plot.
The child admired the colorful balloons.	The child loathes taking medicine.
The community admired the mayor’s leadership.	The community detests the proposed tax increase.
The artist admired the work of the old masters.	The artist abhors plagiarism.
I admire the way she handles difficult situations.	I dislike the passive-aggressive way she communicates.
They admire his dedication to physical fitness.	They hate his constant boasting about it.
She admired the intricate details of the architecture.	She loathes the feeling of being cooped up indoors.
We admire their commitment to environmental protection.	We detest the pollution caused by the factory.
He admired the skill of the surgeon.	He abhors the sight of blood.
The fans admire the athlete’s sportsmanship.	The fans dislike the player’s excessive celebrations.
The reviewers admired the author’s writing style.	The reviewers hated the story’s predictable ending.
The puppy admired the older dog’s calm demeanor.	The puppy loathes being left alone.
The town admired the philanthropist’s generosity.	The town detests the politician’s broken promises.
The chef admired the quality of the fresh ingredients.	The chef abhors using artificial flavors.
I admire his resilience in the face of challenges.	I dislike his tendency to blame others for his mistakes.
They admire her ability to stay calm under pressure.	They hate her constant need for control.
She admired the vibrant colors of the painting.	She loathes the smell of cigarette smoke.
We admire their courage to stand up for what they believe in.	We detest the spread of misinformation online.
He admired the precision of the watchmaker’s craft.	He abhors the idea of wasting time.

Table 2: Antonyms Expressing Disapproval

This table provides sentences using antonyms that express disapproval of someone or something.

Sentence Using “Admire”	Sentence Using Antonym
I admire his honesty.	I disapprove of his methods.
They admire her leadership skills.	They condemn her actions.
She admired the artist’s vision.	She criticized the painting’s execution.
We admire their commitment to justice.	We denounce their corrupt practices.
He admired the architect’s innovative design.	He reproved the contractor for the delays.
The teacher admired the student’s effort.	The teacher disapproved of the student’s plagiarism.
The judge admired the lawyer’s arguments.	The judge condemned the defendant’s behavior.
The audience admired the dancer’s grace.	The audience criticized the play’s script.
The nation admired the president’s speech.	The nation denounced the president’s policies.
The parent admired the child’s creativity.	The parent reproved the child for lying.
I admire the writer’s unique voice.	I disapprove of the writer’s controversial themes.
They admire her dedication to animal welfare.	They condemn the factory farming practices.
She admired the chef’s culinary skills.	She criticized the restaurant’s poor service.
We admire their efforts to combat climate change.	We denounce the government’s inaction on the issue.
He admired the inventor’s ingenuity.	He reproved the manufacturer for cutting corners.
The coach admired the team’s teamwork.	The coach disapproved of the player’s unsportsmanlike conduct.
The jury admired the witness’s testimony.	The jury condemned the defendant’s alibi.
The art critics admired the artist’s originality.	The art critics criticized the gallery’s selection.
The international community admired the country’s progress.	The international community denounced the country’s human rights abuses.
The supervisor admired the employee’s initiative.	The supervisor reproved the employee for their tardiness.
I admire her commitment to social justice.	I disapprove of her aggressive tactics.
They admire his innovative business strategies.	They condemn his unethical practices.
She admired the photographer’s artistic eye.	She criticized the magazine’s editing choices.
We admire their efforts to promote education.	We denounce the school’s budget cuts.
He admired the scientist’s groundbreaking research.	He reproved the lab assistant for the error in the experiment.

Table 3: Antonyms Expressing Contempt

This table provides sentences using antonyms that express contempt for someone or something.

Sentence Using “Admire”	Sentence Using Antonym
I admire his strong moral principles.	I despise his hypocrisy.
They admire her intelligence and wit.	They scorn her lack of empathy.
She admired his confidence and charisma.	She disdained his arrogance and vanity.
We admire their dedication to helping others.	We deride their naive idealism.
He admired their skills.	He mocked their efforts.
I admire the artist’s creativity.	I despise the artist’s pretentious attitude.
They admire her courage to speak out.	They scorn her radical views.
She admired the leader’s vision.	She disdained the leader’s lack of integrity.
We admire their commitment to fair trade.	We deride their unrealistic expectations.
He admired his work ethic.	He mocked his lack of social skills.
I admire her dedication to preserving history.	I despise her elitist attitude towards modern art.
They admire his innovative approach to problem-solving.	They scorn his disregard for traditional methods.
She admired the politician’s eloquence.	She disdained the politician’s empty promises.
We admire their efforts to promote cultural diversity.	We deride their superficial understanding of the issues.
He admired his knowledge.	He mocked his awkward personality.
I admire her ability to stay positive.	I despise her constant negativity.
They admire his entrepreneurial spirit.	They scorn his exploitative business practices.
She admired the scientist’s dedication to research.	She disdained the scientist’s lack of communication skills.
We admire their commitment to social reform.	We deride their impractical policy proposals.
He admired the artist’s work.	He mocked the artist’s eccentric behavior.
I admire her ability to connect with people.	I despise her manipulative tactics.
They admire his commitment to environmental sustainability.	They scorn his lack of practical solutions.
She admired the philosopher’s profound insights.	She disdained the philosopher’s detachment from reality.
We admire their efforts to promote global peace.	We deride their unrealistic expectations.
He admired the athlete’s dedication.	He mocked the athlete’s arrogance.

Table 4: Antonyms Expressing Criticism

This table provides sentences using antonyms that express criticism of someone or something.

Sentence Using “Admire”	Sentence Using Antonym
I admire the precision of his work.	I censure the sloppiness of his work.
They admire her dedication to her studies.	They rebuke her for neglecting her responsibilities.
She admired his leadership during the crisis.	She reprimanded him for his poor judgment.
We admire their efforts to improve the community.	We admonish them for their lack of transparency.
He admired the beauty of the landscape.	He castigated the developers for destroying it.
I admire his innovative business strategies.	I censure his unethical practices.
They admire her commitment to environmental protection.	They rebuke her for not doing enough.
She admired the chef’s culinary skills.	She reprimanded the waiter for the poor service.
We admire their efforts to promote education.	We admonish the school board for the budget cuts.
He admired the scientist’s groundbreaking research.	He castigated the lab for the safety violations.
I admire her dedication to social justice.	I censure her aggressive tactics.
They admire his commitment to animal welfare.	They rebuke him for his inhumane treatment.
She admired the photographer’s artistic eye.	She reprimanded the editor for the poor layout.
We admire their efforts to combat climate change.	We admonish the government for its inaction.
He admired the inventor’s ingenuity.	He castigated the company for stealing his ideas.
I admire his resilience in the face of adversity.	I censure his tendency to blame others.
They admire her ability to stay calm under pressure.	They rebuke her for her lack of empathy.
She admired the vibrant colors of the painting.	She reprimanded the gallery for its poor lighting.
We admire their courage to stand up for what they believe in.	We admonish them for their reckless behavior.
He admired the precision of the watchmaker’s craft.	He castigated the factory for its mass production.
I admire her ability to connect with people.	I censure her manipulative tactics.
They admire his commitment to environmental sustainability.	They rebuke him for his lack of practical solutions.
She admired the philosopher’s profound insights.	She reprimanded him for his detachment from reality.
We admire their efforts to promote global peace.	We admonish them for their unrealistic expectations.
He admired the athlete’s dedication to training.	He castigated the coach for the player’s injury.

Table 5: Antonyms Expressing Indifference

This table provides sentences using antonyms that express indifference towards someone or something.

Sentence Using “Admire”	Sentence Using Antonym
I admire her artistic talent.	I disregard her attempts to impress me.
They admire his dedication to the project.	They overlook his occasional mistakes.
She admired the beauty of the sunset.	She ignored the traffic noise.
We admire their commitment to social justice.	We neglect their complaints.
He admired the architect’s innovative design.	He dismissed the criticism of the building.
I admire her ability to stay calm under pressure.	I disregard her emotional outbursts.
They admire his vast knowledge of history.	They overlook his tendency to lecture.
She admired the craftsmanship of the antique furniture.	She ignored the dust accumulating on it.
We admire their efforts to promote environmental sustainability.	We neglect their warnings about climate change.
He admired the precision of the watchmaker’s craft.	He dismissed the concerns about the cost.
I admire her strong moral principles.	I disregard her holier-than-thou attitude.
They admire his entrepreneurial spirit.	They overlook his questionable business practices.
She admired the scientist’s groundbreaking research.	She ignored the ethical implications of the study.
We admire their commitment to fair trade.	We neglect their pleas for help.
He admired the artist’s creative vision.	He dismissed the artist’s explanation of the work.
I admire her dedication to her community.	I disregard her political opinions.
They admire his physical fitness.	They overlook his arrogance.
She admired the beauty of the landscape.	She ignored the litter on the ground.
We admire their commitment to global peace.	We neglect their advice.
He admired the musician’s talent.	He dismissed the musician’s personal problems.
I admire her ability to connect with people.	I disregard her shallow conversations.
They admire his ambition and drive.	They overlook his lack of empathy.
She admired the intricate design of the jewelry.	She ignored the ethical sourcing of the materials.
We admire their commitment to education.	We neglect their warnings about the impact of technology.
He admired the precision of the surgeon’s work.	He dismissed the patient’s concerns.

Usage Rules for Antonyms of “Admire”

When using antonyms of “admire,” it’s important to consider the context and the specific nuance you want to convey. Each antonym carries a slightly different connotation, and choosing the right word can significantly impact the meaning of your sentence.

• “Dislike” and “Hate” are general terms expressing aversion. “Hate” is a stronger emotion than “dislike.”
• “Disapprove” and “Condemn” express a negative judgment. “Condemn” is a more severe form of disapproval.
• “Despise,” “Scorn,” and “Disdain” convey contempt. “Disdain” often implies a sense of superiority.
• “Censure,” “Rebuke,” and “Reprimand” express criticism. These words are often used in formal settings.
• “Disregard,” “Overlook,” and “Ignore” indicate indifference. “Ignore” suggests a deliberate choice to pay no attention.

Pay attention to the grammatical structure of your sentence. Ensure that the antonym you choose fits grammatically and maintains the logical flow of the sentence.

Common Mistakes When Using Antonyms

One common mistake is using an antonym that is too strong or too weak for the intended meaning. For example, using “hate” when “dislike” would be more appropriate, or vice versa.

Another mistake is choosing an antonym that doesn’t fit the context. For example, using an antonym expressing indifference when you actually want to express disapproval.

Incorrect: I admire his cooking, but I *ignore* his food. (Indifference doesn’t fit the context.)
Correct: I admire his cooking, but I *dislike* his food.

Incorrect: She admires his paintings, but she *hates* them. (Too strong; “disapproves” is better)
Correct: She admires his paintings, but she *disapproves* of them.

Incorrect: They admire her leadership, but they *overlook* her decisions. (Indifference doesn’t fit the context.)
Correct: They admire her leadership, but they *condemn* her decisions.

Practice Exercises

Complete the following sentences by filling in the blank with the most appropriate antonym of “admire” from the list provided:

Word Bank: despise, disapprove, disregard, hate, criticize, scorn, condemn, neglect, loathe, rebuke

Exercise 1

Question	Answer
1. While I ____ his dedication, I can’t ignore his flaws.	admire
2. I ____ his behavior at the party; it was completely unacceptable.	despise
3. They ____ of his decision to drop out of school.	disapprove
4. She ____ his constant attempts to impress her.	disregard
5. We ____ their discriminatory practices.	hate
6. The critics ____ the movie’s plot for being predictable.	criticize
7. I ____ his condescending attitude.	scorn
8. The judge ____ the defendant’s actions.	condemn
9. He ____ their warnings about the impending danger.	neglect
10. She ____ the taste of liver.	loathe

Exercise 2

Question	Answer
1. The teacher ____ the student for cheating on the exam.	rebuke
2. Although I ____ her talent, I disagree with her methods.	admire
3. Many people ____ the politician’s policies due to their negative impact on the economy.	condemn
4. I ____ his arrogance and constant need for attention.	despise
5. She tends to ____ his advice, even when it’s helpful.	disregard
6. They ____ his lack of empathy towards others.	criticize
7. I ____ the feeling of being stuck in traffic.	loathe
8. The community ____ the developers for destroying the natural habitat.	rebuke
9. He ____ his responsibilities and failed to meet the deadline.	neglect
10. I ____ his behavior; it’s simply unacceptable.	disapprove

Advanced Topics: Nuances and Connotations

The choice of antonym for “admire” also depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Some antonyms carry stronger emotional connotations than others.

For example, “abhor” is a much stronger word than “dislike,” implying a deep sense of revulsion.

Consider the social context as well. In formal settings, words like “censure” or “reprimand” may be more appropriate than words like “hate” or “despise.”

Understanding these nuances will enable you to use antonyms of “admire” with greater precision and effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering the antonyms of “admire” is essential for expanding your vocabulary and expressing a wider range of emotions and opinions. By understanding the nuances and connotations of each antonym, you can communicate your ideas with greater precision and effectiveness.

Use this guide as a reference to enhance your understanding and usage of English vocabulary.