respective
adjective
re·spec·tive
ri-ˈspek-tiv 
1
: particular, separate
their respective homes
2
obsolete
: partial, discriminative
respectiveness
noun
Examples of respective in a Sentence
it was late when the concert let out, so we all went our respective ways
Recent Examples on the Web
These surrogates live in California, Georgia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, and the newborns have been assigned to foster-care placements in their respective counties.
—
Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
According to testimony in the criminal trial, Erickson and Grossman were drinking margaritas at a local cantina before the pair got into their respective vehicles and headed to Grossman’s home to watch a presidential debate.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
An American and a French national, who have returned to their respective home countries after being evacuated from the cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, have both tested positive.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 11 May 2026
The partnership is non-exclusive and Haznevi and Downey will still run their own individual slates through their respective companies Saudade and Downey Ink.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 May 2026
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Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
According to testimony in the criminal trial, Erickson and Grossman were drinking margaritas at a local cantina before the pair got into their respective vehicles and headed to Grossman’s home to watch a presidential debate.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
An American and a French national, who have returned to their respective home countries after being evacuated from the cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, have both tested positive.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 11 May 2026
The partnership is non-exclusive and Haznevi and Downey will still run their own individual slates through their respective companies Saudade and Downey Ink.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for respective
Cite this Entry
“Respective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respective. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
respective
adjective
re·spec·tive
ri-ˈspek-tiv
: not the same or shared : separate
they hurried to their respective homes
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