disrespect

1 of 2

verb

dis·​re·​spect ˌdis-ri-ˈspekt How to pronounce disrespect (audio)
disrespected; disrespecting; disrespects

transitive verb

1
: to lack special regard or respect for : to have disrespect (see disrespect entry 2) for
disrespects authority
2
: to show or express disrespect or contempt for : insult, dis
disrespected the officer

disrespect

2 of 2

noun

: low regard or esteem for someone or something : lack of respect
treating a teacher with disrespect
meant no disrespect to you
disrespectful adjective
disrespectfully adverb
disrespectfulness noun

Examples of disrespect in a Sentence

Verb a comedian who shuns jokes that disrespect people because of their appearance the player once again disrespected fans by refusing to sign autographs Noun The student treated the teacher with disrespect. I'm sorry. I meant no disrespect. He showed a shocking disrespect for authority.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The members of Movement are stretched thin, disrespected, devalued, overburdened, and under-thanked. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024 Such social dysfunction can run the gambit from disrespecting norms of conduct to violations of constitutional principles to electoral interference. Clifford Young, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 Real quick People with obesity are often disrespected. Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024 Interrupting too frequently or assertively might make the coachee feel disregarded or disrespected. Andrea Wanerstrand, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Google, which generates 30 percent of its sales from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, views the DMA as disrespecting its expertise in what users want. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2024 In Florida, teachers are disrespected and book bans are rampant—heck, just two weeks ago, a district banned the dictionary! Detroit Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press, 24 Jan. 2024 Harlem resident Regina Smith told CBS the neighborhood felt disrespected and that there are already too many homeless shelters in the community. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2024 Comments by Hong Kong sports lawmaker Kenneth Fok accusing Messi and his U.S. club Inter Miami of disrespecting local fans were among the top trending topics on Weibo on Wednesday. TIME, 7 Feb. 2024
Noun
Then, in a show of public disrespect for the vehicles that weekend, one car was attacked and vandalized in San Francisco’s Chinatown during a Lunar New Year celebration. Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 Further, seniors who perceive respect from younger individuals are more inclined to engage in generative behaviors, such as mentoring or providing guidance, which can serve as meaningful avenues for connection and fulfillment, while perceptions of disrespect can fuel loneliness. Mark Travers, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 An upside down flag: A prop for protests or signal for help Many see the inversion of the flag as a sign of disrespect, but it has traditionally been used as a call for help by individuals and groups. David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Feb. 2024 The disrespect … Tonight brings another episode of Graziadei’s journey, which started off with 32 contestants and currently has 19 left going into Week 3. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 5 Feb. 2024 To celebrate, Megan asked her Hotties to focus on positivity and vaguely alluded to some of Minaj’s disrespect. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2024 And to see the Confederate flag under that dome, to see the disrespect. ABC News, 7 Jan. 2024 The point is never that rappers don’t commit crimes, but that using their art as a means of persecution reflects a profound disrespect for that art, to say nothing of a willful distortion of art’s form and function. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2024 My father taught me to never tolerate disrespect or bullying and to always offer a helping hand to others. Linda Chase, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disrespect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1621, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disrespect was in 1614

Dictionary Entries Near disrespect

Cite this Entry

“Disrespect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disrespect. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

disrespect

1 of 2 verb
dis·​re·​spect ˌdis-ri-ˈspekt How to pronounce disrespect (audio)
1
: to have disrespect for
2
: to show or express disrespect or dislike for : insult

disrespect

2 of 2 noun
: lack of respect : discourtesy
disrespectful adjective
disrespectfully adverb
disrespectfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on disrespect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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