dis·re·spect
ˌdis-ri-ˈspekt 
disrespected; disrespecting; disrespects
1
: to lack special regard or respect for : to have disrespect (see disrespect entry 2) for
disrespects authority
: low regard or esteem for someone or something : lack of respect
treating a teacher with disrespect
meant no disrespect to you
disrespectfulness
noun
Synonyms
Verb
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
Salomon Zavala, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2023
The issue is everybody seems to have an opinion on Pinkett Smith’s choices and they are used as reasons to denigrate and disrespect her.
—Kushie Amin, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2023
Self-confidence is one thing, but repeatedly picking yourself up after being disrespected requires a different kind of tenacity.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Oct. 2023
That should be celebrated and respected and not disrespected.
—Jeff Graham, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
In Las Vegas on that late-July Tuesday for a trade show, Mark turned off the ringer and stuck his phone in his back pocket so as not to disrespect any customers visiting his company’s booth.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2023
The new cybercrime legislation, enacted last month, carries a punishment of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to $28,000 for content deemed to undermine public order, stir up strife or disrespect religion.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Though no one has ever been executed, vigilante mobs like the one in Jaranwala have murdered several people accused of disrespecting the Islamic faith.
—Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2023
Members of the women’s national team have also reported being disrespected by top male soccer executives, saying that the men’s team was given superior equipment and treatment.
—Rachel Chaundler, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2023
Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Aug. 2023
People would wax rhapsodic about Lillard’s play, express blind belief in anyone on the team, point to clutch victories, and drone on and on about national media disrespect.
—Corbin Smith, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2023
To usurp the hostess’s chair would be a great show of disrespect for the hostess and an insult to the host.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023
Anyone who has listened to his rap music knows that overcoming obstacles, including disrespect, is a common theme.
—Afentres, oregonlive, 11 Sep. 2023
Spain, too, takes a strong stance against religious disrespect.
—Armin Langer, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2023
But Castro officials see disrespect from Washington — which has yet to invite Castro to a White House meeting with President Biden — and a policy that harps on corruption and human rights over development and supplies nonmilitary aid to civil sectors antagonistic to the government.
—Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2023
Every All-Star starter slight was a sign of ultimate disrespect.
—Corbin Smith, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2023
Again, and no disrespect, the real test comes after Saturday’s Conference USA appetizer.
—Michael Casagrande | McAsagrande@al.com, al, 3 Sep. 2023
See More
Verb
The cops treated graffiti writers as criminals, targeting us for low-risk arrests while the gangs suspected us of being either rivals or of disrespecting their hoods with our tags.
—Salomon Zavala, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2023
The issue is everybody seems to have an opinion on Pinkett Smith’s choices and they are used as reasons to denigrate and disrespect her.
—Kushie Amin, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2023
Self-confidence is one thing, but repeatedly picking yourself up after being disrespected requires a different kind of tenacity.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Oct. 2023
That should be celebrated and respected and not disrespected.
—Jeff Graham, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
In Las Vegas on that late-July Tuesday for a trade show, Mark turned off the ringer and stuck his phone in his back pocket so as not to disrespect any customers visiting his company’s booth.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2023
The new cybercrime legislation, enacted last month, carries a punishment of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to $28,000 for content deemed to undermine public order, stir up strife or disrespect religion.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Though no one has ever been executed, vigilante mobs like the one in Jaranwala have murdered several people accused of disrespecting the Islamic faith.
—Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2023
Members of the women’s national team have also reported being disrespected by top male soccer executives, saying that the men’s team was given superior equipment and treatment.
—Rachel Chaundler, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2023
Noun
The disrespect and the misogynistic approach by those commanders and her staff in 1973 was despicable.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Aug. 2023
People would wax rhapsodic about Lillard’s play, express blind belief in anyone on the team, point to clutch victories, and drone on and on about national media disrespect.
—Corbin Smith, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2023
To usurp the hostess’s chair would be a great show of disrespect for the hostess and an insult to the host.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023
Anyone who has listened to his rap music knows that overcoming obstacles, including disrespect, is a common theme.
—Afentres, oregonlive, 11 Sep. 2023
Spain, too, takes a strong stance against religious disrespect.
—Armin Langer, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2023
But Castro officials see disrespect from Washington — which has yet to invite Castro to a White House meeting with President Biden — and a policy that harps on corruption and human rights over development and supplies nonmilitary aid to civil sectors antagonistic to the government.
—Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2023
Every All-Star starter slight was a sign of ultimate disrespect.
—Corbin Smith, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2023
Again, and no disrespect, the real test comes after Saturday’s Conference USA appetizer.
—Michael Casagrande | McAsagrande@al.com, al, 3 Sep. 2023
See More
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
Articles Related to disrespect
Dictionary Entries Near disrespect
Cite this Entry
“Disrespect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disrespect. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
disrespect
1 of 2 verb
dis·re·spect
ˌdis-ri-ˈspekt
1
: to have disrespect for
2
: to show or express disrespect or dislike for : insult
disrespect
2 of 2 noun
: lack of respect : discourtesy
More from Merriam-Webster on disrespect
Nglish: Translation of disrespect for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of disrespect for Arabic Speakers
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