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
Synonyms
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.
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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.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebDelisa Shannon, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2023
Too much commentary, especially with respect to the current state of congestion and shipping delays, focuses on cyclical issues.
—Harry G. Broadman, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
With respect to Play Dirty, as agreed to by Amazon, Joel was in no way terminated with or for cause on that picture.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2023
With respect to ‘Play Dirty,’ as agreed to by Amazon, Joel was in no way terminated with or for cause on that picture.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile, local business owners have doubled down on their commitment to sustainability, respect for wildlife, and an ethos of farm-to-table and gulf-to-table dining.
—Jennifer Salerno, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2023
There is no respect, no accountability, no honesty and no sense of responsibility or remorse.
—WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023
The public will be able to pay respects when the family motorcade carries her remains to her alma mater, Georgia Southwestern State University, on Monday, the Carter Center said.
—Caleigh Bartash, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2023
Friends and family gathered together on Monday, Nov. 20 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, to pay their last respects to Brandi Mallory.
—Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 20 Nov. 2023
Brianne Tracy, Peoplemag, 1 Dec. 2023
Instead, emphasizing prevention, respecting the animal’s territory, and understanding their behavior ensures a safer coexistence.
—Craig Caudill, Field & Stream, 30 Nov. 2023
Normalizing the expectation that everyone should be respected and their human rights honored.
—Love Odih Kumuyi, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Niumatalolo, 58, is tremendously respected in the coaching community for his leadership and integrity.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2023
All of them, virtually without exception, are fundamentally selfish and do not respect adult boundaries or adult perspectives.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2023
Lastly, respect residents by not taking photos of restricted regions.
—Karla Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2023
In recent years, Native American students across the country have been pushing for their traditions to be respected on school grounds and in graduation ceremonies.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law must be respected and upheld at all times.
—Ruth Marks Eglash, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2023
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Noun
There’s an atmosphere of mutual respect in the air.
—Delisa Shannon, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2023
Too much commentary, especially with respect to the current state of congestion and shipping delays, focuses on cyclical issues.
—Harry G. Broadman, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
With respect to Play Dirty, as agreed to by Amazon, Joel was in no way terminated with or for cause on that picture.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2023
With respect to ‘Play Dirty,’ as agreed to by Amazon, Joel was in no way terminated with or for cause on that picture.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile, local business owners have doubled down on their commitment to sustainability, respect for wildlife, and an ethos of farm-to-table and gulf-to-table dining.
—Jennifer Salerno, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2023
There is no respect, no accountability, no honesty and no sense of responsibility or remorse.
—WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023
The public will be able to pay respects when the family motorcade carries her remains to her alma mater, Georgia Southwestern State University, on Monday, the Carter Center said.
—Caleigh Bartash, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2023
Friends and family gathered together on Monday, Nov. 20 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, to pay their last respects to Brandi Mallory.
—Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 20 Nov. 2023
Verb
Please respect her and her families privacy at this time.
—Brianne Tracy, Peoplemag, 1 Dec. 2023
Instead, emphasizing prevention, respecting the animal’s territory, and understanding their behavior ensures a safer coexistence.
—Craig Caudill, Field & Stream, 30 Nov. 2023
Normalizing the expectation that everyone should be respected and their human rights honored.
—Love Odih Kumuyi, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Niumatalolo, 58, is tremendously respected in the coaching community for his leadership and integrity.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2023
All of them, virtually without exception, are fundamentally selfish and do not respect adult boundaries or adult perspectives.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2023
Lastly, respect residents by not taking photos of restricted regions.
—Karla Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2023
In recent years, Native American students across the country have been pushing for their traditions to be respected on school grounds and in graduation ceremonies.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law must be respected and upheld at all times.
—Ruth Marks Eglash, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'respect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Latin respectus, literally, act of looking back, from respicere to look back, regard, from re- + specere to look — more at spy
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of respect was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing respect
Dictionary Entries Near respect
Cite this Entry
“Respect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respect. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on respect
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Britannica English: Translation of respect for Arabic Speakers
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