as in deferent
marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status
the children were remarkably respectful while in the president's office
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of respectful
Where Gentle Parenting Might Be Lacking Gentle parenting emphasizes empathy and respectful communication without harsh punishment, explains Cynthia Vejar, PhD, LPC, program director and associate professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lebanon Valley College.
—
Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Oct. 2025
No surprise, then, that this is a fairly respectful rendition, upping the spectacle but staying true to the somberness of Shelley’s cautionary tale.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
While 21gramm is trendier than some of its peers, the owners wanted to keep it a place where prices are fair, the atmosphere respectful, and the vibe welcoming to all.
—Diana Hubbell, Saveur, 16 Oct. 2025
Workplace culture and safety, as in a safe and respectful environment free of harassment.
—Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Oct. 2025
No surprise, then, that this is a fairly respectful rendition, upping the spectacle but staying true to the somberness of Shelley’s cautionary tale.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
While 21gramm is trendier than some of its peers, the owners wanted to keep it a place where prices are fair, the atmosphere respectful, and the vibe welcoming to all.
—Diana Hubbell, Saveur, 16 Oct. 2025
Workplace culture and safety, as in a safe and respectful environment free of harassment.
—Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respectful
Adjective
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And many advocates are promoting a vision of public health that’s less dependent on mandates and appeals to authority, and more deferent to individuals’ beliefs.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
4 Aug. 2025
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The Ptolemaic model depicted planets moving around Earth in a big circle, known as a deferent, then going around a smaller circle while retrograding, called an epicycle.—
Carlie Procell,
USA TODAY,
25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The 2025 study showed that when users dropped the polite fluff and went straight to the point, ChatGPT's accuracy ticked upward.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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And while offering to help clean up is polite, Jokilehto says there’s a right way to do it.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There is a fine line between reverent homage and cheap pastiche; Shelby Oaks largely exists on the latter side.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Oct. 2025
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Del Toro loves playing around in genres, and his remake of the 1947 film (itself based on the William Lindsay Gresham novel) represents what’s best (and also what’s limiting) about his reverent enthusiasm.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Maryland’s appeal points to Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, which instructs federal judges to be highly deferential in evaluating state criminal convictions.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
24 Sep. 2025
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The joke was neither too harsh nor too deferential.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Respectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respectful. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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