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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 respectful
Our team observes her behavior and interacts with the bear only in a respectful and caring way.
—
Kelli Bender, People.com, 18 June 2025
There were honks of support, a few curious passersby, and even some respectful disagreements.
—Breana Skiles, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2025
They were dismissed and set to resume deliberations on the rape count on Thursday, with Farber reminding the jurors to be respectful to one another.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 12 June 2025
But everyone’s being respectful, and that’s the idea.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Kelli Bender, People.com, 18 June 2025
There were honks of support, a few curious passersby, and even some respectful disagreements.
—Breana Skiles, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2025
They were dismissed and set to resume deliberations on the rape count on Thursday, with Farber reminding the jurors to be respectful to one another.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 12 June 2025
But everyone’s being respectful, and that’s the idea.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respectful
Adjective
-
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
-
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,
19 Apr. 2023
Adjective
-
Padilla ordinarily is a very polite guy, extraordinary civil — calm, soft-spoken, the opposite of an aggressive loudmouth.—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
-
Gentle readers often ask Miss Manners how to respond to questions put to them for which there does not appear to be any polite answer.—
Judith Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Fans of ’20s jazz will detect reverent references to the styles of Helen Morgan, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington and other jazz grants.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The magazine saw itself as literary but not self-serious; if the stereotypical National Geographic story was a walk through the jungle recounted in hushed, awed tones, its Outside equivalent was a little dustier, wilder, and less reverent.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There were Hmong women with a certain style that never hit the pop culture radar: Tough, streetwise, cocksure and confident, deeply devoted to their families, friends and culture, but not the least bit demure or deferential.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
2 June 2025
-
Although congressional Republicans have remained deferential to Trump, their patience appears to be wearing thin.—
EDWARD FISHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Respectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respectful. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share