Admiration vs. Attraction — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 9, 2024
Admiration involves respect and esteem for qualities or achievements, while attraction is a draw towards someone, often rooted in physical or emotional appeal.
Difference Between Admiration and Attraction
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Admiration is primarily about valuing someone's abilities, virtues, or achievements, focusing on their intrinsic qualities. On the other hand, attraction is more about a personal or emotional response that might be influenced by physical appearance, charisma, or other traits.
People admire others for their skills, moral integrity, or intellectual contributions, appreciating aspects that inspire or influence positively. Whereas, attraction often involves a sense of desire or affinity towards someone, which can be instinctive and sometimes inexplicable.
Admiration can be felt towards individuals without a desire for a personal relationship or closeness. In contrast, attraction usually implies a degree of personal interest that may seek interaction or closeness.
Admiration can be experienced for both known and unknown individuals, including historical figures or celebrities, due to their deeds or character. However, attraction generally involves a more direct or personal interaction, either physically or emotionally.
While admiration may lead to respect and a wish to emulate or honor the admired, attraction can lead to romantic or platonic relationships, driven by a connection or compatibility.
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Comparison Chart
Basis
Qualities, achievements
Physical/emotional appeal
Emotional Response
Respect, esteem
Desire, affinity
Relationship Desire
Not necessarily desired
Often involves a desire for closeness
Target of Feeling
Can be towards anyone, known or unknown
Usually towards someone personally known
Resulting Behavior
Inspiration, emulation, honor
Seeking interaction, forming relationships
Compare with Definitions
Admiration
Consideration with delight.
He looked upon his mentor's advice with admiration.
Attraction
A person or thing that draws attention.
The new exhibit is a major attraction at the museum.
Admiration
Respect and warm approval.
She gazed at the painting with admiration.
Attraction
The act of drawing someone emotionally or physically.
Her charisma created a strong attraction among her followers.
Admiration
High opinion of someone's qualities or achievements.
She earned the admiration of her peers through hard work.
Attraction
A quality or feature that evokes interest.
The main attraction of the city is its downtown market.
Admiration
Something regarded as impressive or worthy of respect.
His courage in the face of danger is an admiration.
Attraction
The action or power of evoking interest in or liking for someone.
His humor was an immediate attraction to her.
Admiration
Pleasurable contemplation.
He watched the skilled performance with admiration.
Attraction
Physical or emotional appeal.
There was an undeniable attraction between them.
Admiration
Admiration is a social emotion felt by observing people of competence, talent, or skill exceeding standards. Admiration facilitates social learning in groups.
Attraction
The act or capability of attracting.
Admiration
Respect and warm approval
I have the greatest admiration for all those involved in the project
Attraction
The quality of attracting; charm.
Admiration
A feeling of strong approval or delight with regard to someone or something
The students' admiration for their teacher.
Attraction
A feature or characteristic that attracts.
Admiration
The state of being viewed with such approval or delight
An actor held in admiration by her peers.
Attraction
A person, place, thing, or event that is intended to attract
The main attraction was a Charlie Chaplin film.
Admiration
The object of such approval and delight
A movie that was the admiration of many critics.
Attraction
A force exerted between bodies that tends to draw or hold them together, such as gravitational force or the electric or magnetic force between bodies of opposite polarity.
Admiration
(Archaic) The action of wondering; marveling.
Attraction
The tendency to attract.
The Moon is held in its orbit by the attraction of the Earth's gravity.
Admiration
A positive emotion including wonder and approbation; the regarding of another as being wonderful
Admiration of a war hero
They looked at the landscape in admiration.
Attraction
The feeling of being attracted.
I felt a strange attraction towards the place.
Admiration
(obsolete) Wondering or questioning (without any particular positive or negative attitude to the subject).
Attraction
(countable) An event, location, or business that has a tendency to draw interest from visitors, and in many cases, local residents.
The new mall should be a major attraction.
Star Tours is a very cool Disney World attraction.
Admiration
(obsolete) Cause of admiration; something to excite wonder, or pleased surprise.
Attraction
(chess) The sacrifice of pieces in order to expose the enemy king.
Admiration
Wonder; astonishment.
Season your admiration for a while.
Attraction
(linguistics) An error in language production that incorrectly extends a feature from one word in a sentence to another, e.g. when a verb agrees with a noun other than its subject.
Admiration
Wonder mingled with approbation or delight; an emotion excited by a person or thing possessed of wonderful or high excellence; as, admiration of a beautiful woman, of a landscape, of virtue.
Attraction
An invisible power in a body by which it draws anything to itself; the power in nature acting mutually between bodies or ultimate particles, tending to draw them together, or to produce their cohesion or combination, and conversely resisting separation.
Admiration
Cause of admiration; something to excite wonder, or pleased surprise; a prodigy.
Now, good Lafeu, bring in the admiration.
Attraction
The act or property of attracting; the effect of the power or operation of attraction.
Admiration
A feeling of delighted approval and liking
Attraction
The power or act of alluring, drawing to, inviting, or engaging; an attractive quality; as, the attraction of beauty or eloquence.
Admiration
The feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
Attraction
That which attracts; an attractive object or feature.
Admiration
A favorable judgment;
A small token in admiration of your works
Attraction
The force by which one object attracts another
Attraction
An entertainment that is offered to the public
Attraction
The quality of arousing interest; being attractive or something that attracts;
Her personality held a strange attraction for him
Attraction
A characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts;
Flowers are an attractor for bees
Attraction
An entertainer who attracts large audiences;
He was the biggest drawing card they had
Common Curiosities
Can admiration be negative?
Typically, admiration is positive, but it can be seen as negative if it leads to envy or if the qualities admired are morally questionable.
What can trigger admiration in a person?
Admiration is often triggered by witnessing qualities like bravery, intelligence, integrity, or artistic talent in another person.
Is attraction subjective?
Yes, attraction is highly subjective and varies greatly from person to person, influenced by individual preferences and experiences.
What role does admiration play in education?
Admiration for teachers or mentors can enhance a student’s motivation and engagement in learning.
What factors influence attraction?
Factors like physical appearance, personality traits, similar interests, and sometimes even pheromones can influence attraction.
Does attraction always have a romantic connotation?
No, attraction can be platonic, such as being drawn to someone's personality or intellect, without any romantic interest.
How do cultural differences impact admiration?
Cultural backgrounds can shape what qualities or achievements are admired, as different cultures value different traits and accomplishments.
Is admiration a stable feeling?
Admiration can be long-lasting, especially if it's based on enduring qualities or achievements of the admired person.
How do admiration and attraction affect workplace dynamics?
Admiration can boost morale and encourage professional development, whereas attraction can complicate workplace relationships if not managed appropriately.
Can animals experience admiration?
While animals can show preferences or bonds, admiration, as a concept, involves a level of cognitive and emotional complexity typically attributed to humans.
How can attraction be communicated?
Attraction can be communicated through body language, verbal expressions, and behaviors such as flirting or increased attention to someone.
What are the common misunderstandings about attraction?
A common misunderstanding is that attraction is always mutual or that it should always lead to a relationship.
How does admiration differ between friends and romantic partners?
Admiration among friends often centers on traits like loyalty and humor, whereas in romantic partners, it might also include physical and emotional aspects.
What is the relationship between attraction and love?
Attraction can be a starting point for love but becoming truly in love generally involves deeper emotional connections and commitment.
How do people typically respond to being admired?
Responses can vary; some may feel flattered and motivated, while others might feel uncomfortable or pressured by expectations.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
