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Definitions

look up to

VERB
admire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adore applaud appreciate cherish commend credit extol hail honor idolize laud marvel at praise prize respect revere treasure worship
STRONG
approve esteem eulogize glorify value venerate
WEAK
be crazy about be crazy for be crazy over be mad about be nuts about be stuck on be sweet on be wild about delight in fall for get high on go for groove on hold in respect moon over pay homage to rate highly take pleasure in think highly of wonder at
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blame censure condemn criticize denounce despise dishonor dislike disparage disrespect hate not care reproach
STRONG
mock
WEAK
abhor detest execrate scorn
VERB
appreciate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admire adore applaud cherish enjoy honor like love relish respect savor think highly of treasure value
STRONG
esteem prize
WEAK
extol praise rate highly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abhor condemn denounce despise detest dislike disrespect hate ignore reproach scorn
WEAK
be critical criticize decrease depreciate disparage disregard lose value neglect overlook
VERB
esteem
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hold dear revere value venerate
STRONG
admire appreciate cherish consider hero-worship honor idolize like love prize regard respect treasure worship
WEAK
be fond of regard highly think the world of
Antonyms
STRONG
belittle condemn denounce despise dishonor dislike disparage disrespect hate not care scorn underestimate underrate undervalue
WEAK
abuse deride insult mock ridicule
VERB
favor
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accept advocate appreciate approve back champion choose encourage endorse pick praise support
STRONG
approbate commend countenance esteem eulogize fancy honor incline patronize prize sanction value
WEAK
be in favor of be on one's side buck for flash on for go for hold with lean toward opt for regard highly root for single out take a liking to take a shine to take to think well of tilt toward
Antonyms
STRONGEST
censure criticize disagree disallow disapprove discourage dissuade neglect oppose protest refuse reject
STRONG
deny dislike disrespect hate
WEAK
disfavor hinder hurt thwart
VERB
hero worship
Synonyms
STRONG
adulate dote on esteem exalt glorify idolize lionize revere worship
WEAK
fall all over fawn on
VERB
honor
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admire appreciate celebrate commemorate commend laud observe praise revere worship
STRONG
acclaim adore aggrandize compliment decorate dignify distinguish ennoble erect esteem exalt glorify hallow keep lionize magnify prize sanctify sublime value venerate
WEAK
be faithful be true give glad hand give key to city live up to roll out red carpet uprear
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blame censure condemn criticize despise dishonor disregard forget hate ignore neglect overlook
STRONG
belittle castigate debase degrade denounce disgrace dislike disrespect humiliate insult lower mock shame
WEAK
betray reproach
VERB
idolize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admire adore revere venerate
STRONG
apotheosize canonize deify exalt glorify hero-worship love reverence
WEAK
bow down dote on put on a pedestal
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abhor condemn despise detest hate
STRONG
castigate criticize debase degrade humiliate lower
VERB
panegyrize
Synonyms
WEAK
acclaim admire adore aggrandize appreciate be faithful be true celebrate commemorate commend compliment decorate dignify distinguish ennoble erect esteem eulogize exalt extol give glad hand give key to city glorify hail hallow keep laud lionize live up to magnify observe praise prize revere roll out red carpet sanctify sing someone's praises sublime uprear value venerate worship
VERB
respect
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adhere to appreciate comply with heed honor recognize regard revere uphold value
STRONG
adore attend esteem follow note notice reverence spare venerate
WEAK
abide by be awed by be kind to defer to have good opinion of have high opinion observe of pay attention set store by show consideration show courtesy take into account think highly of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disregard ignore neglect overlook
STRONG
hate
WEAK
condemn disobey disrespect scorn
VERB
revere/reverence
Synonyms
WEAK
admire adore apotheosize appreciate be in awe of cherish defer to deify enjoy esteem exalt hold in awe honor love magnify pay homage prize put on pedestal regard respect think highly of treasure value venerate worship
Antonyms
WEAK
despise disregard
VERB
venerate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cherish esteem exalt hallow idolize
STRONG
admire adore apotheosize appreciate deify honor love regard respect reverence treasure value worship
WEAK
be in awe of hold in awe put on a pedestal think highly of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
denounce
STRONG
abhor condemn despise detest dishonor dislike disparage disregard disrespect hate scorn

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Honestly, I didn't have many people to look up to," she explained.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

“We do in fact look up to them,” Williams said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

Positioning herself as the star her fans orbit and look up to, instead of the party girl they’re hitting the club with, is not her style.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026

This new sense of confidence means that many Chinese who used to look up to the West as the source of inspiration and ideas increasingly feel they have little to learn—and more to teach.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

I look up to find Samantha turning the corner.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.