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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Recent Examples of respectful
Just be clear, authentic and respectful.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership.
—Mikelle Street, Them., 28 Aug. 2025
Yager was such a good dude, super respectful, and just kind to my family and our racing family through the years.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Coordinators are tasked with making sure the questioning is relevant and respectful, Baker said.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership.
—Mikelle Street, Them., 28 Aug. 2025
Yager was such a good dude, super respectful, and just kind to my family and our racing family through the years.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Coordinators are tasked with making sure the questioning is relevant and respectful, Baker said.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 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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Everything here is just better — the way animals are treated, people are polite.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
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Of course, the only thing unique about Cluely’s sales pitch is its bluntness; plenty of other AI companies have been selling the same thing using more polite and socially acceptable language for years.—
Bryce Hoffman,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The submissions tell a story of Massachusetts that is equal parts reverent and irreverent, with Bay Staters leaning on history while having fun with their future.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Stanton’s voice, once critical of Lincoln, became reverent by the time of his assassination.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The surroundings are deferential, completed by a group of friends enjoying conversation encouraged by physical comfort and a visual calm.—
Joseph Giovannini,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
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The new additions are thoughtful and deferential, keeping the original intact to a great degree.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Respectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respectful. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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