"Thumb nose at" is an idiomatic expression which means to show contempt, disdain or disrespect towards something or someone. In order to find antonyms for this phrase, we need to look for words or phrases that convey the opposite meaning, such as "respect", "admire", "appreciate", "esteem", "honor", "praise", "cherish" or "treasure". These words connote a sense of high regard, admiration and appreciation, which stand in stark contrast to the negative connotations implied by "thumb nose at". By replacing the negative with the positive, we can create a more constructive and harmonious communication style that fosters understanding, collaboration and mutual respect.