# What is the best word for "admiring" an evil, well thought and carried out, plan **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 20, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285 "2011-10-20T19:56:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/21 "2011-10-21T01:02:22Z")
“Worthy foe”? ---
**Author:** ![RadicalPi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/radicalpi/32/9806_2.png) [@RadicalPi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadicalPi)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/22 "2011-10-21T01:07:25Z")
The traditional word to describe your situation, at least in literary French, is in fact admiration. Although, usually with a bunch of asterisks that basically boil down to “shocked and horrified admiration.” Denis Diderot, in particular, was fascinated by the capacity of some individuals for perpetrating great evil. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/23 "2011-10-21T02:19:31Z")
Can’t you marvel at something without endorsing it or ascribing it some value? The notion of seeing the working of another mind in devising a plot or plan or scheme doesn’t automatically imply an approval or an awarding of some goodness or badness to the product. Many critics ascribe the workings of the Nazi regime as well organized and efficient. Those terms don’t carry an automatic appreciation of their ethics and morality. Just that they worked well in a practical or pragmatic way. I’d vote for marvel as the sort of term you’re after. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/24 "2011-10-21T02:27:18Z")
calculating and efficient ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/25 "2011-10-21T02:34:22Z")
ITT: an OP with a crossword. That said I think [cunning](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cunning) and [artifice](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/artifice) are two words that do the job nicely. Edit probably [guile](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/guile) is the best match: > [@](#): > > guile >    [gahyl] Show IPA > noun > insidious cunning in attaining a goal; ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/26 "2011-10-21T02:54:11Z")
Magnificent Bastard. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/27 "2011-10-21T21:43:46Z")
Many of the replies have avoided the protagonists OP wants to one-word describe: mass murderers. The word “guile” doesn’t leap to mind. “Machiavellean” might work, if a) it is paired with its blood brother, “plan” and b) only with the 9/11 plotters would it make sense, sort of, but it gives it too much of a historical veneer. ETA: Unless you’re writing in a somewhat breathless style. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/28 "2011-10-21T22:10:05Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > If only they would have used their talents for good. I submit to you: in their own minds, they _did_. ---
**Author:** ![SpectBrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@SpectBrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpectBrain)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/29 "2011-10-21T22:44:10Z")
fiendishly clever, hellishly clever ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/30 "2011-10-21T22:51:35Z")
I don’t think there’s a one word substitute for “admire.” One can “concede” their ingenuity, or “acknowledge” the efficiency of their plan. One can also discern, accept, or admit. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/31 "2011-10-21T23:27:54Z")
I believe the Bush administration used “cowardly” for 9/11. I would not be surprised if the Clinton admin did the same for Tim McVeigh’s bombing. ---
**Author:** ![SeaCanary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SeaCanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaCanary)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/32 "2011-10-21T23:37:42Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > **What is the best word for “admiring” an evil, well thought and carried out, plan** If it’s one word you want, how about fiendish? (Of, relating to, or suggestive of a fiend; diabolical). Or “diabolic” for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![SeaCanary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SeaCanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaCanary)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/33 "2011-10-21T23:38:59Z")
> [@SpectBrain](#): > > fiendishly clever, hellishly clever Drat! :smack: Should’ve looked first. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/34 "2011-10-22T04:26:34Z")
“Grudging respect” is a bit of a cliche. I’ll offer “grim respect”, “disgusted respect”, or possibly even “nauseated respect”. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/35 "2011-10-22T05:11:26Z")
I think “Appreciate” is probably the closest to what the OP is after, although it’s interesting that there’s no exact word in English to describe what they’re getting at. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/36 "2011-10-22T17:48:46Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > I believe the Bush administration used “cowardly” for 9/11. I would not be surprised if the Clinton admin did the same for Tim McVeigh’s bombing. McVeigh’s attack was definitely cowardly, but, even though saying it cost Bill Maher _Politically Incorrect_ the 9/11 hijackers - while fanatical evil scum - where not actually _cowardly_. ---
**Author:** ![sherrycherie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5e9695/32.png) [@sherrycherie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sherrycherie)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/37 "2011-10-22T21:20:09Z")
begrudging fascination? ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/38 "2011-10-22T22:37:22Z")
I would say [intrigued](http://www.onelook.com/?w=intrigued&ls=a) "very interested in something and wanting to know more about it … " ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/39 "2011-10-22T22:45:01Z")
How about “impressed”, as in “I was impressed by McVeigh’s evil plan and his ability to carry it out.” ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285/40 "2011-10-22T23:05:55Z")
“…almost admired his tenacity, if not his goals or methods.” Acknowledge. …but I have to say, he sure was a great dancer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-word-for-admiring-an-evil-well-thought-and-carried-out-plan/600285.md?page=3)