mutual admiration

USAGE SUMMARY

"mutual admiration" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when two people have an admiration for one another. For example, "The couple had a mutual admiration for each other that was evident in their kind words and gentle actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The parties professed mutual admiration.

The New York Times

It wasn't all mutual admiration.

The New Yorker

Their mutual admiration continues today.

The New York Times

Mutual admiration ensued.

The New York Times - Style

They formed a mutual admiration society.

The New York Times

They form a mutual admiration society.

Yale University

Bolsonaro and Trump have expressed mutual admiration.

The Washington Post

But the collaboration drew on mutual admiration.

The New York Times

We have a kind of mutual admiration society.

The New York Times

For all their mutual admiration, Schottenheimer remains in charge.

The New York Times - Sports

They were relaxed with each other, regularly proffering mutual admiration.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships, use "mutual admiration" to convey a sense of respect and high regard between individuals or groups. Be mindful that it implies a two-way positive sentiment, so ensure it accurately reflects the dynamic you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "mutual admiration" if the admiration is only felt by one party. Ensure that both individuals or groups genuinely hold each other in high regard, otherwise use "admiration" alone to describe the one-way feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mutual admiration" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of reciprocal positive regard or esteem between two or more parties. Examples on Ludwig illustrate this use, indicating a shared positive sentiment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mutual admiration" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a reciprocal feeling of respect and high regard between individuals or groups. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts. To ensure proper usage, confirm that the admiration is genuinely two-sided and consider more direct alternatives like "shared respect" or "reciprocal appreciation" for similar meaning. As Ludwig AI stated, the phrase is appropriate for neutral register making it suitable for diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared esteem

Synonymous, but the word "esteem" carries a more formal connotation.

mutual respect and appreciation

More detailed, spelling out two related positive feelings.

reciprocal high regard

More formal and emphasizes respect and consideration.

shared respect

Focuses on the respect aspect, omitting the feeling component of admiration.

shared positive regard

More descriptive and less concise than "mutual admiration".

reciprocal appreciation

Highlights the give-and-take aspect of appreciation rather than the high regard implied by admiration.

common respect

Emphasizes the shared nature of the respect but can be used in contexts where admiration may not be present.

joint respect

Highlights the joint nature of respect but omits the element of admiration.

reciprocal approval

Focuses on the aspect of approval, potentially missing the depth of admiration.

common approval

Emphasizes a shared sense of approval, but can be less personal than mutual admiration.

FAQs

How to use "mutual admiration" in a sentence?

You can use "mutual admiration" to describe a reciprocal feeling of respect and high regard. For example, "Their professional relationship was built on "mutual admiration" and shared goals".

What can I say instead of "mutual admiration"?

You can use alternatives like "shared respect", "reciprocal appreciation", or "shared esteem" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a mutual admiration"?

While grammatically possible, it's more common and natural to use "mutual admiration" as an uncountable noun, referring to the general feeling rather than a specific instance. Instead of "a mutual admiration", consider phrasing like "a sense of shared esteem".

What's the difference between "mutual admiration" and "mutual respect"?

"Mutual respect" implies a reciprocal feeling of consideration and regard for someone's rights or feelings. "Mutual admiration" goes a step further, suggesting a reciprocal feeling of deep appreciation and high regard for someone's qualities or achievements. While respect is fundamental, admiration carries a stronger positive connotation.