self-respect

noun

self-re·​spect ˌself-ri-ˈspekt How to pronounce self-respect (audio)
Synonyms of self-respectnext
1
: a proper respect for oneself as a human being
2
: regard for one's own standing or position

Examples of self-respect in a Sentence

getting a job and moving out of his parents' house did a lot to increase his self-respect
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From writer-director John Carney (Sing Street, Once), Power Ballad is a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026 Varley’s got a lot of self-respect. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026 The masses, demeaned and starved, see in tyranny a tantalizing elixir of equality and self-respect, which will liberate them from élite domination and deliver them from want and anxieties. Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026 Always uphold truth; self-respect comes from keeping integrity tight. Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026 Your money can stretch further while your self-respect stays strong and steady. Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 That happens through predictable acts of self-respect, rather than just affirmations. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026 Value yourself — self-respect guides smarter choices. Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026 Productivity hits different when it’s rooted in self-respect. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-respect was in 1765

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-respect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-respect. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

self-respect

noun
self-re·​spect
ˌsel-fri-ˈspekt
1
: a proper respect for oneself as a human being
2
: regard for one's own standing or position
self-respecting
-ˈspek-tiŋ
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on self-respect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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