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
We are greatly encouraged by their commitment to fostering a mutually respectful workplace, as demonstrated by their voluntary recognition of our union.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Where are our best role models for good listening and for respectful discourse?
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
According to Ashton, his mother raised him to have good manners, be respectful and love God above all else.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
Bryan Medina Hernandez, Gallatin High Described as a strong student, musician, and leader who is respected by peers and teachers because of his respectful demeanor and work ethic, Bryan participates in the marching, concert, jazz band and pep bands.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Where are our best role models for good listening and for respectful discourse?
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
According to Ashton, his mother raised him to have good manners, be respectful and love God above all else.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
Bryan Medina Hernandez, Gallatin High Described as a strong student, musician, and leader who is respected by peers and teachers because of his respectful demeanor and work ethic, Bryan participates in the marching, concert, jazz band and pep bands.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respectful
Adjective
-
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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Here are six seemingly polite habits that party hosts actually dislike.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The younger woman smiling coyly, as if with a secret, while the older of the two, still young herself, anxious and polite, looks at the strange columns in the kitchen, trying not to be rude about it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That Maestro screening featured the vociferous participation of Leonard Bernstein’s surviving family members, as well as Cooper himself watching silently from the audience (the strike prevented him from doing more), a perfect companion to Cooper’s alternately reverent and over-the-top biopic.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
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The atmosphere is reverent and energized, with attendees standing in collective praise hours before the formal program begins.—
Amanda Castro
Mandy Taheri
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 15 Oct. 2025.
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