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
After collecting material for DNA confirmation and searching for personal effects— especially that camera—the team covered the body with rocks, the most respectful burial on that frozen ground.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Apr. 2026
Reddit users started posting clips of him almost immediately, showing Chonkers planted at the front of a wooden platform while the smaller sea lions kept a respectful distance.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
The resolution asserts the right to free speech while encouraging respectful debate.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
The bill includes a provision honoring Kira that would include training for respectful maternity care without bias.
—Amy Eskind, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Apr. 2026
Reddit users started posting clips of him almost immediately, showing Chonkers planted at the front of a wooden platform while the smaller sea lions kept a respectful distance.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
The resolution asserts the right to free speech while encouraging respectful debate.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
The bill includes a provision honoring Kira that would include training for respectful maternity care without bias.
—Amy Eskind, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respectful
Adjective
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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 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
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That’s not English society, that’s every society, at least every polite society.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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This is the true story…of two strangers… picked to work together… and have their lives taped…to find out what happens… when people stop being polite…and start getting real.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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And so, when James Harden walked toward the Raptors’ bench during a timeout in the Cavaliers’ 125-120 win, the Raptors were no longer impressed or deferential.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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Amodei is forcibly removed and replaced with a deferential Army general.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Breakfast included, indoor fireplace, backyard, desert views Found on Navajo land in Arizona, Shash Dine’ draws visitors thanks to its stargazing opportunities, as well as its reverent efforts to keep indigenous culture and tradition alive.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
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In the sumptuousness of the bibliophile’s parlor, studying Black history occasioned reverent, joyous gatherings.—
Laura E. Helton,
Literary Hub,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Respectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respectful. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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