Admiration vs. Respect — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Admiration is a feeling of wonder and appreciation for someone's qualities, while Respect recognizes someone's worth or rights, often linked to their position or character.
Difference Between Admiration and Respect
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Key Differences
Admiration and Respect are both positive reactions towards individuals. However, while Admiration often stems from being impressed or awed, Respect can arise from recognizing someone's position, experience, or inherent rights.
One might feel Admiration for a singer's incredible voice or an athlete's skill. This doesn't necessarily mean they respect them on a personal level. Conversely, Respect can be given to someone without admiring their specific talents or attributes.
Admiration can be fleeting, often tied to a specific act or quality that inspires wonder. On the other hand, Respect can be more enduring, often established over time through consistent behavior or due to societal norms and values.
At its core, Admiration tends to be more emotion-driven, a reaction to something extraordinary or outstanding. Respect, while it can be emotional, is often a recognition of worth, position, or rights, irrespective of personal feelings.
It's also worth noting that Respect can sometimes be demanded or expected, especially in hierarchical settings. Admiration, on the other hand, arises more spontaneously and cannot be forced.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Emotion-driven, arising from wonder
Recognition of worth or rights
Cause
Impressive qualities or acts
Position, experience, character, or inherent rights
Duration
Can be fleeting
Often enduring
Demand
Arises spontaneously, can't be forced
Can be expected or demanded
Independence
Possible to admire without respect
Possible to respect without admiration
Compare with Definitions
Admiration
Esteem for extraordinary qualities.
His innovative ideas garnered widespread Admiration.
Respect
Recognition of someone's worth or rights.
She showed Respect to her elders, listening intently to their stories.
Admiration
Warm approval or appreciation.
The community held him in high Admiration for his philanthropic efforts.
Respect
Consideration for someone's feelings or traditions.
Out of Respect for the local customs, he dressed modestly during the visit.
Admiration
Being impressed by someone's actions or attributes.
Her tenacity earned her the Admiration of her peers.
Respect
Admiration for someone due to their abilities or achievements.
His accomplishments in science earned him the Respect of his peers.
Admiration
Delight in someone's exceptional characteristics.
The artist's work was met with Admiration and awe.
Respect
Acknowledgment of boundaries or positions.
He had Respect for the law and always acted accordingly.
Admiration
Admiration is a social emotion felt by observing people of competence, talent, or skill exceeding standards. Admiration facilitates social learning in groups.
Respect
Valuing someone irrespective of personal feelings.
Even though they disagreed, she treated him with Respect.
Admiration
Respect and warm approval
I have the greatest admiration for all those involved in the project
Respect
Respect, also called esteem, is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important or held in high esteem or regard. It conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities.
Admiration
A feeling of strong approval or delight with regard to someone or something
The students' admiration for their teacher.
Respect
A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem
I have great respect for your work.
Admiration
The state of being viewed with such approval or delight
An actor held in admiration by her peers.
Respect
The state of being regarded with honor or esteem
A leader held in the greatest respect.
Admiration
The object of such approval and delight
A movie that was the admiration of many critics.
Respect
Consideration or appreciation
Can't you at least give me some respect?.
Admiration
(Archaic) The action of wondering; marveling.
Respect
Due regard for something considered important or authoritative
Respect for the law.
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.
Respect
A particular aspect, feature, or detail
In many respects this is an important decision.
Admiration
(obsolete) Wondering or questioning (without any particular positive or negative attitude to the subject).
Respect
Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.
Admiration
(obsolete) Cause of admiration; something to excite wonder, or pleased surprise.
Respect
To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or admire
All the other scholars respect her.
Admiration
Wonder; astonishment.
Season your admiration for a while.
Respect
To avoid interfering with or intruding upon
Please respect my privacy.
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.
Respect
To avoid violating
I respected the speed limit throughout the trip.
Admiration
Cause of admiration; something to excite wonder, or pleased surprise; a prodigy.
Now, good Lafeu, bring in the admiration.
Respect
To relate or refer to; concern
As respects the rights of land owners, this law says nothing.
Admiration
A feeling of delighted approval and liking
Respect
(uncountable) an attitude of consideration or high regard
He is an intellectual giant, and I have great respect for him.
We do respect people for their dignity and worth.
Admiration
The feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
Respect
(uncountable) good opinion, honor, or admiration
Admiration
A favorable judgment;
A small token in admiration of your works
Respect
Polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death.
The mourners paid their last respects to the deceased poet.
Admiration
A feeling of wonder for someone's qualities.
His dedication to charity drew Admiration from many.
Respect
(countable) a particular aspect, feature or detail of something
This year's model is superior to last year's in several respects.
Respect
Good will; favor
Respect
To have respect for.
She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.
Respect
To have regard for something, to observe a custom, practice, rule or right.
I respect your right to hold that belief, although I think it is nonsense.
I respect your right to feel offended, even though most people, myself included, totally disagree and don’t find the comment offensive in the slightest.
Respect
To abide by an agreement.
They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.
Respect
To take notice of; to regard as worthy of special consideration; to heed.
Respect
To relate to; to be concerned with.
Respect
(obsolete) To regard; to consider; to deem.
Respect
(obsolete) To look toward; to face.
Respect
(Jamaica) hello, hi
Respect
To take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed.
Thou respectest not spilling Edward's blood.
In orchards and gardens, we do not so much respect beauty as variety of ground for fruits, trees, and herbs.
Respect
To consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor.
Respect
To look toward; to front upon or toward.
Palladius adviseth the front of his house should so respect the uth.
Respect
To regard; to consider; to deem.
To whom my father gave this name of Gaspar,And as his own respected him to death.
Respect
To have regard to; to have reference to; to relate to; as, the treaty particularly respects our commerce.
Respect
The act of noticing with attention; the giving particular consideration to; hence, care; caution.
But he it well did ward with wise respect.
Respect
Esteem; regard; consideration; honor.
Seen without awe, and served without respect.
The same men treat the Lord's Day with as little respect.
Respect
An expression of respect of deference; regards; as, to send one's respects to another.
Respect
Reputation; repute.
Many of the best respect in Rome.
Respect
Particular; point regarded; point of view; as, in this respect; in any respect; in all respects.
Everything which is imperfect, as the world must be acknowledged in many respects.
In one respect I'll be thy assistant.
Respect
Relation; reference; regard.
They believed but one Supreme Deity, which, with respect to the various benefits men received from him, had several titles.
Respect
Consideration; motive; interest.
To the publik goodPrivate respects must yield.
Respect
(usually preceded by `in') a detail or point;
It differs in that respect
Respect
The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);
It is held in esteem
A man who has earned high regard
Respect
An attitude of admiration or esteem;
She lost all respect for him
Respect
A courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard;
His deference to her wishes was very flattering
Be sure to give my respects to the dean
Respect
Behavior intended to please your parents;
Their children were never very strong on obedience
He went to law school out of respect for his father's wishes
Respect
A feeling of friendship and esteem;
She mistook his manly regard for love
He inspires respect
Respect
Courteous regard for people's feelings;
In deference to your wishes
Out of respect for his privacy
Respect
Regard highly; think much of;
I respect his judgement
We prize his creativity
Respect
Show respect towards;
Honor your parents!
Common Curiosities
Is Admiration deeper than Respect?
Not necessarily. Admiration is emotion-driven, while Respect is about recognizing worth or rights.
Can I admire someone I don't respect?
Yes, one can feel Admiration for someone's skills while not respecting their character.
Can Respect be demanded?
While Respect can be expected, genuine respect is earned.
Do all professionals deserve respect?
While professionals might be respected for their expertise, personal behavior also influences the level of Respect they receive.
Is Respect a two-way street?
Ideally, yes. Mutual Respect fosters healthy relationships and interactions.
Can Admiration turn into envy?
If not checked, intense Admiration can sometimes transition into envy.
Can you give Respect without liking someone?
Yes, Respect can be given based on position, experience, or rights, irrespective of personal feelings.
Is Admiration always positive?
Generally, Admiration is positive, as it stems from appreciating qualities or acts.
Can one lose Admiration quickly?
Yes, if someone admired for a quality acts counter to that quality, Admiration can be lost.
Is it okay to demand Respect in a relationship?
While mutual respect is vital in relationships, genuine Respect is earned, not demanded.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
