1
: a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation
remarks having respect to an earlier plan
2
: an act of giving particular attention : consideration
3
4
: particular, detail
a good plan in some respects
respected; respecting; respects
1
a
: to consider worthy of high regard : esteem
b
: to refrain from interfering with
please respect their privacy
2
: to have reference to : concern
respecter
noun
Examples of respect in a Sentence
Noun
The earth's crust floats over a core of molten rock and some of its parts have a tendency to move with respect to one another.
—
Mario Salvadori, Why Buildings Stand Up, 1990
Anyway any honor sent through the mail and cashable is about the only kind I got any great respect for …
—Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being, 1979
Our ragged hero wasn't a model boy in all respects. I am afraid he swore sometimes, and now and then he played tricks upon unsophisticated boys from the country, or gave a wrong direction to honest old gentlemen unused to the city.
—Horatio Alger, Ragged Dick, 1868
The Cat only grinned when it saw Alice. It looked good-natured, she thought: still it had VERY long claws and a great many teeth, so she felt that it ought to be treated with respect.
—Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, 1865
He has earned their respect.
The soldier saluted as a sign of respect.
Despite our differences, I have enormous respect for him.
I have a great respect for his accomplishments.
I expect to be treated with respect.
Your theory makes sense in one respect.
Verb
Many other critics respect her work, but marginalize her as "the best Polish woman artist" or "the best woman artist of Eastern Europe."
—Andrew Solomon, New York Times Book Review, 21 Aug. 1994
He had a weak point—this Fortunato—although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared.
—Edgar Allan Poe, The Cask of Amontillado, 1846
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …
—The Constitiution of the United States of America
The students respect the principal for his honesty.
I respect what she has accomplished.
You must learn to respect other people's property.
We need to respect the environment.
Mario Salvadori, Why Buildings Stand Up, 1990
Anyway any honor sent through the mail and cashable is about the only kind I got any great respect for …
—Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being, 1979
Our ragged hero wasn't a model boy in all respects. I am afraid he swore sometimes, and now and then he played tricks upon unsophisticated boys from the country, or gave a wrong direction to honest old gentlemen unused to the city.
—Horatio Alger, Ragged Dick, 1868
The Cat only grinned when it saw Alice. It looked good-natured, she thought: still it had VERY long claws and a great many teeth, so she felt that it ought to be treated with respect.
—Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, 1865
He has earned their respect.
The soldier saluted as a sign of respect.
Despite our differences, I have enormous respect for him.
I have a great respect for his accomplishments.
I expect to be treated with respect.
Your theory makes sense in one respect.
Verb
Many other critics respect her work, but marginalize her as "the best Polish woman artist" or "the best woman artist of Eastern Europe."
—Andrew Solomon, New York Times Book Review, 21 Aug. 1994
He had a weak point—this Fortunato—although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared.
—Edgar Allan Poe, The Cask of Amontillado, 1846
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …
—The Constitiution of the United States of America
The students respect the principal for his honesty.
I respect what she has accomplished.
You must learn to respect other people's property.
We need to respect the environment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 10 May 2025
The more teens are on screens and social media platforms, the more sensitive these areas of the brain can become with respect to social rewards and punishments.
—Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 May 2025
Both countries largely respected the line of control as a de facto boundary for military operations until the 2019 crisis.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for respect
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The depth of love and respect for Ryan in Hatboro was evident.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 10 May 2025
The more teens are on screens and social media platforms, the more sensitive these areas of the brain can become with respect to social rewards and punishments.
—Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Verb
The United States is a place where property rights should by default be respected and protected.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 May 2025
Both countries largely respected the line of control as a de facto boundary for military operations until the 2019 crisis.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for respect
Cite this Entry
“Respect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respect. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
respect
1 of 2 noun
re·spect
ri-ˈspekt 
1
: relation to or concern with something specified : reference
with respect to your last letter
2
a
: high or special regard : esteem
b
plural
: expressions of regard or courtesy
pay my respects to your family
3
: detail entry 1 sense 1b
perfect in all respects
respect
2 of 2 verb1
: to consider worthy of high regard : esteem
2
: to avoid interfering with
respected their wishes
respecter
noun
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