respect

noun

re·spect | \ ri-ˈspekt

Definition of respect

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

3a : high or special regard : esteem

b : the quality or state of being esteemed

c respects plural : expressions of high or special regard or deference paid our respects

4 : particular, detail a good plan in some respects

in respect of

chiefly British : with respect to : concerning

in respect to

: with respect to : concerning

with respect to

: with reference to : in relation to

respect

verb

re·spect | \ ri-ˈspekt

respected; respecting; respects

Definition of respect (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to consider worthy of high regard : esteem

b : to refrain from interfering with please respect their privacy

2 : to have reference to : concern

Other Words from respect Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about respect

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Synonyms for respect

Synonyms: Noun

reference, regard

Synonyms: Verb

admire, appreciate, consider, esteem, regard

Choose the Right Synonym for respect

Verb

regard, respect, esteem, admire mean to recognize the worth of a person or thing. regard is a general term that is usually qualified. he is highly regarded in the profession respect implies a considered evaluation or estimation. after many years they came to respect her views esteem implies greater warmth of feeling accompanying a high valuation. no citizen of the town was more highly esteemed admire suggests usually enthusiastic appreciation and often deep affection. a friend that I truly admire

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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

This is out of respect for both the teacher and your fellow classmates so that everyone can enjoy their practice with as few outside distractions as possible. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "New to Yoga? 12 Things to Know Before Taking Your First Class," 4 Jan. 2019 During this period, the public will be able to pay their respects at specific times. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "All the Details on George H. W. Bush's Funeral," 6 Dec. 2018 On Tuesday, friends and family visited the U.S. Capitol Rotunda to pay their respects to George H.W. Bush, who died on November 30. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "This Is What Will Happen to Sully, George H.W. Bush's Beloved Service Dog," 5 Dec. 2018 Earlier in the day, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid their respects to the victims of the helicopter crash outside the Leicester City Football Club (LCFC) stadium. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Middleton Gives a Sweet Update About How Prince Louis Is Doing," 28 Nov. 2018 Last week, the president tried to rally his supporters against France and blamed the deadliest fires in California history on forestry mismanagement, rather than pay respects to those who lost everything. — Anne T. Donahue, Marie Claire, "In 2018, Horror Movies Are the Most Comforting Things I Watch," 19 Nov. 2018 But perhaps most impactful was the Queen's plea for kindness and respect in our modern society. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Message Reflects on the Royal Family's 'Busy Year'," 25 Dec. 2018 Nor are there, precisely, always: people to meet, feelings to feel, or new worlds to visit — unless this world is the inner ivory tower of one’s own conscience, which DeWitt believes is worth our determined scrutiny and endless respect. — Brittany Allen, Longreads, "Getting Tricked by Helen DeWitt," 9 July 2018 The wealthiest shoppers still bought luxury goods during the Recession, but Frasch recalls pushback against items with noticeable logos, while more subtle designs gained respect. — Eliza Brooke, Vox, "How the Great Recession influenced a decade of design," 27 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

There are traditions that should be respected and others that can be rewritten. — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, "A Proposal Under a Supermoon in Switzerland Led to a Wedding Celebration in the Utah Desert," 3 Jan. 2019 This is a worldwide epidemic that women’s bodies are not respected. — Candice Frederick, Harper's BAZAAR, "Phoebe Robinson Wrote a Manifesto to Help Us Cope with the Dumpster Fire We’re Living In," 17 Oct. 2018 Everyone’s feelings and interests must be respected in order for this to work. — Gigi Engle, SELF, "5 Ways to Ease Your Partner Into Trying Bondage and Kink," 28 Sep. 2018 Amidst all of the turmoil and civic unrest, divided over the best way to protect our country and over whether it should be respected for its power or its ideals. — Elizabeth Angell, Town & Country, "Read the Full Transcript of Henry Kissinger's Eulogy for John McCain," 1 Sep. 2018 Clearly, there are plenty of reasons why parents may decide to have their infants undergo the completely safe process of getting their ears pierced, and Kylie's right to do so should be respected. — Andrea Park, Allure, "Kylie Jenner Is Getting Mommy-Shamed for Piercing 5-Month-Old Stormi's Ears," 12 July 2018 He was loved and respected by the many students, families, and fellow co-workers. — courant.com, "John Randall Davidson," 8 July 2018 Abundantly respected by all who knew him, Chuck lived life on his own terms, in his own way. — Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 7/5," 5 July 2018 Valuing all bodies means looking beyond our attraction (or lack thereof) and respecting them, and their owners, either way. — Nora Whelan, SELF, "Believing Women Means Believing the Plus-Size Ones, Too," 21 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'respect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for respect

respect

noun

English Language Learners Definition of respect

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable, important, etc.

: a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way

: a particular way of thinking about or looking at something

respect

verb

English Language Learners Definition of respect (Entry 2 of 2)

: to feel admiration for (someone or something) : to regard (someone or something) as being worthy of admiration because of good qualities

: to act in a way which shows that you are aware of (someone's rights, wishes, etc.)

: to treat or deal with (something that is good or valuable) in a proper way

See the full definition for respect in the English Language Learners Dictionary

respect

noun

re·spect | \ ri-ˈspekt

Kids Definition of respect

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : high or special regard : esteem

2 : thoughtfulness or consideration “Of course, we would wait the appropriate amount of time out of respect for my brother.”— Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising

3 respects plural : an expression of regard or courtesy pay my respects

4 : detail entry 1 sense 2 Our trip was perfect in all respects.

5 : relation to or concern with something specified I'm writing with respect to your ad.