Definition of respectful
:marked by or showing respect or deference
—
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Read the Latest from M-W
Examples of respectful in a Sentence
the children were remarkably respectful while in the president's office
Recent Examples of respectful from the Web
-
AUDI R8 $164,150 ● The all-new R8 ditches the pretense of keeping a respectful distance from its VW Group cousin, the Lamborghini Huracán.
-
And as always, be respectful of others in the backcountry.
-
There’s a large and growing searchable database of respectful, compassionate health care professionals who’ve committed to provide quality care to larger people.
-
Trained at Spago, Antonia Lofaso understands high-volume cooking, and her take on hearty Italian-American is respectful yet inventive.
-
Williams has handled the incident in respectful manner.
-
My son doesn’t treat me this way and is very respectful and kind.
-
Three people, including Gumesindo's girlfriend and a former neighbor, spoke on his behalf at the sentencing hearing, describing him as respectful, helpful, caring and loving.
-
Calling your significant other a 'slut' as a way to shame them or put them down is not respectful.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'respectful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of respectful
1593
respectful Synonyms
Synonyms
deferent, deferential, dutiful, regardfulAntonyms
disrespectful, undutifulRelated Words
reverent, reverential, venerating, worshipful; fawning, genuflecting, groveling (or grovelling), hagiographic (or hagiographical), kowtowing, obsequious, servile, subservient, sycophantic, toadying; civil, courteous, gracious, polite; kid-glove, kid-glovedNear Antonyms
abusive, insulting, offensive; belittling, demeaning, depreciative, depreciatory, derogatory, disparaging; contemptuous, impudent, irreverent, scornful; discourteous, insolent, rude, uncivilRESPECTFUL Defined for English Language Learners
respectful
play
adjective
Definition of respectful for English Language Learners
-
: showing or having respect
RESPECTFUL Defined for Kids
respectful
play
adjective
re·spect·ful
\
ri-ˈspekt-fəl
\
Definition of respectful for Students
:showing high regard or courtesy
- a respectful manner
—
respectfully
\-fə-lē\ adverb- We kept respectfully silent during the ceremony.
Learn More about respectful
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for respectful Spanish Central: Translation of respectful Nglish: Translation of respectful for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of respectful for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up respectful? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!