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

In Maryland’s case, this would mean working toward respect, understanding and trust of those of other races and their experiences. — Kelebogile Zvobgo, The Conversation, "Maryland has created a truth commission on lynchings – can it deliver?," 14 June 2019 But this, in some respects, seems the hardest part of the process, and exposes the limits of technology as a solution to trafficking. — Natasha Frost, Quartz, "Amazon’s AI is being used to rescue children from sex trafficking," 13 June 2019 Comport yourselves with respect for all who suffered and sacrificed. — Taylor Lorenz, The Atlantic, "There’s Nothing Wrong With Posing for Photos at Chernobyl," 12 June 2019 Each program emphasizes respect for the donors and students hold memorial services for them, often including poems and testimonials. — Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, "Arizona is a hotbed for the cadaver industry, and potential donors have plenty of options," 10 June 2019 All decisions of the judges regarding this Promotion are final and binding in all respects. 1. — Billboard, "Crowd Control Sweepstakes Sponsored by Billboard, a division of Prometheus Global Media, LLC ("Sponsor")," 9 June 2019 Yet those old, grainy, black and white highlights of the Kansas Comet twisting opposing defenses into pretzels and lighting the Wrigley Field grass on fire still can make jaws drop and former teammates gush with respect. — Dan Wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "'This is real': Past glory collides with future dreams as Bears100 Celebration Weekend begins," 7 June 2019 In many respects, the paper seeks to marry various proposals floating around Capitol Hill. — Benjamin Storrow, Scientific American, "As Renewable Energy Subsidies Expire, Experts Advocate Tax Credits," 4 June 2019 However, in today’s world, a figure such as Eco does not inspire the awe or respect which our age of existential crisis demands. — Julian Ch Lee, Quartzy, "Godzilla is the perfect monster for our age of environmental destruction," 1 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

When visiting Terry Hershey Park, the public is encouraged to enjoy all open sections, to respect warning signs and trail closures and to avoid construction equipment. — Staff Report, Houston Chronicle, "Flood Control District project under way in west Houston," 13 June 2019 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which the U.S. is a cosignatory, includes, for example, the right to enjoy asylum from persecution, something that the Trump administration’s immigration policy has not always respected. — Alexis Papazoglou, The New Republic, "The Sneaky Politics of “Natural Law”," 13 June 2019 Climbers need to have good ethics—such as taking responsibility for their actions, respecting local climbing traditions, taking care with the environment and so on—proper equipment and real mountaineering experience. — Yana Wengel, Quartzy, "The deaths on Mount Everest prove adventure tourism is out of control," 11 June 2019 People are drawn to her, look up to her, trust her and respect her. — Bob Narang, chicagotribune.com, "Softball notes: Division I recruits help Barrington extend regional success," 9 June 2019 This assumes that national courts can be trusted to issue impartial verdicts—and governments, to respect them. — The Economist, "Disgruntled investors are losing patience with central Europe," 8 June 2019 Alexander was widely respected for his skill with racehorses and as a Keeneland ambassador. — Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, "'Spec' Alexander, longtime Keeneland starter and ambassador, dies at 80," 4 June 2019 The Old Bolshevik wives Nina Khrushcheva and Mrs. Mikoian respected the longstanding nomenklatura dress code. — Djurdja Bartlett, Smithsonian, "When the United States and Soviet Union Fought It Out Over Fashion," 4 June 2019 Not a single one of us were alike, and yet by doing something as simple as listening to and respecting one another, we were challenged and made better. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Chip and Joanna Gaines Just Attended a Business Class at Harvard With Ciara," 3 June 2019

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.