respectfully

adverb

1
as in lovingly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in politely

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 respectfully In the meantime, children need to be taught how to think critically, listen respectfully, question assumptions and appreciate perspectives different from their own. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 5 Nov. 2026 Mental Health America’s exercises offer scripts for respectfully telling relatives when a topic is off-limits. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026 In a statement, Essayli said his office respectfully disagreed with the order and indicated Seabright's ruling will follow a similar path to the Supreme Court. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Even as Heath stumbles his way through the lyrics, the audience respectfully claps along to the beat. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 Everyone here almost too respectfully gives one another their turn to speak, the conversation rarely fomenting into argument or overlapping chatter. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2026 Without becoming defensive or overly apologetic, respectfully reinforce that your decision has already been made. — Jasmine Johnson, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026 Our father taught us how to speak about patients respectfully— while acting efficiently and empathetically. — Alicja Turczyk, The Dial, 29 Sep. 2026 Even after the game, Riley apparently wasn’t aware that Stephens was soon on the sideline thereafter shown on NBC’s broadcast, not kneeling respectfully or exhibiting concern, but smiling and dapping up teammates. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respectfully
  1. lovingly
  2. politely
  3. positively
  4. courteously
  5. civilly
Adverb
  • Nintendo has lovingly updated the legendary ’98 title with new visuals, modern mechanics, and on-demand jumping.
    — Brad Bourque, The Verge, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Bear #480, lovingly dubbed Otis, captured millions of hearts, as the first winner of Fat Bear Week over 10 years ago.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of lovingly
Adverb
  • In the first hour, my father politely mingled with the guests alongside my mother, who had no trouble entertaining people.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2026
  • This time, a large group of bicycle neophytes led by a teacher pulled up slowly and politely paused at the crosswalk.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of politely
Adverb
  • The film world premiered positively at Sundance and was set to have its international launch in Doha.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Though it’s been received positively by many, some groups argue that the ordinance doesn’t fix major gaps that hinder street vendors.
    — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of positively
Adverb
  • Two inspectors knocked on doors and spoke courteously to surprised visitors who displayed booking contracts on their phones, the inspectors’ bodycam footage showed.
    — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • When a visitor arrives in a classroom, a classroom ambassador welcomes them, introduces himself and the subject being taught, and courteously asks for the visitor’s name and affiliation.
    — Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Definition of courteously
Adverb
  • Brown also noted that Wexner has denied wrongdoing in connection to Epstein and has not been criminally charged nor found civilly liable.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Tucker was never criminally charged or sued civilly over the allegations, but the allegations, and subsequent NFL suspension, led some to compare him to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of civilly

Browse Nearby Words

respectful
respectfully
respectfulness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Respectfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respectfully. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of lissome

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All