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as in decent
of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards the artwork that we commissioned from the muralist turned out to be respectable but was not quite what we had hoped for

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of respectable Before Christmas, Vonn entered her first World Cup race—a super-G in St. Moritz—wearing bib 31 (finishing a respectable 14th). Peggy Shinn, Outside Online, 31 Jan. 2025 Without Campbell, whom the Dolphins had respectable offers to trade away at the trade deadline but turned down, the Dolphins would have struggled to turn the season around from its 2-6 start. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025 The same cryptocurrency that once powered the infamous Silk Road marketplace now serves as a respectable investment vehicle, complete with institutional custodians and regulatory oversight. Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 Bickerstaff has quietly turned Detroit into a respectable defense while still sprinkling enough shooting in to keep the offense humming; the Pistons have a winning record at the moment, something that seemed unthinkable 12 months ago. John Hollinger, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for respectable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respectable
Adjective
  • Their legacy and honorable service to our Nation will forever remain.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
  • This only further confirmed to me that Justin and Wayfarer are exceedingly honorable and highly ethical.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In another artist’s hands, The Return might have become a straightforward show about the corrosion of small-town America, or the incursion of extraordinary violence into polite society—something of that order.
    K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The middle son was polite and shy, and looked up to the club’s older boys.
    Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Many people who celebrated (or joked about the murder) had been hurt by callus policies that made CEOs richer while their family members could not access decent health care.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Fans should have a decent idea about what the WrestleMania 41 main events will look like by spring.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • If Wolves can help Lemina regain his focus for a final push, then a midfielder of his quality with considerable Premier League experience could be an attractive option.
    Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
  • The mine ostensibly contains between 100 and 280 tons of gold, worth between $8.6 billion and $22 billion at present prices once the metal is, with considerable difficulty, extracted from the dirt in which it is dispersed.
    William Baldwin, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The night’s most prestigious award is always a nail-biter, but this year’s competition promises extra drama with Swift, who holds the AOTY record with four; breakthrough artists Carpenter, Roan and Charli xcx; and industry-evolving musicians Eilish, André 3000 and Jacob Collier in the mix.
    Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025
  • These three awards, along with Best New Artist, are always presented near the end of the ceremony and are known to be the most prestigious awards in the music business.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The parallels here are unsubtle, but Falconer’s delicate and impressively assured direction smoothes them into something honest, so that even the moments that might seem obvious to us roil with self-revelation.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2025
  • This one’s all over the place tonally, on purpose: Ferrell wrestles a fake alligator over here, while over there, Witherspoon bravely engages with her siblings and their intimidating mother to hammer out an honest reconciliation after too long.
    Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Hopefully that means a bigger, more proper announcement than a lotion ad, too.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Black’s social media provides tons of videos that showcase the power of proper technique.
    Celeste Polanco, Essence, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • There are still some that choose this path out of denial or for immediate financial/political gain, as well as those who feel the die is cast and no effort is adequate to stop the current course.
    PATRICK CASEY, DEBRA FISER, WHIT HALL and GARY WHEELER Special to the Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 9 Feb. 2025
  • The 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and breathable while still providing adequate warmth during any season.
    Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near respectable

Cite this Entry

“Respectable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respectable. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

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