respect

1 of 2

noun

re·​spect ri-ˈspekt 

1

: a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation

remarks having respect to an earlier plan

2

: an act of giving particular attention : consideration

3

a

: high or special regard : esteem

b

: the quality or state of being esteemed

c

respects plural : expressions of high or special regard or deference

paid our respects

4

: particular, detail

a good plan in some respects

respect

2 of 2

verb

re·​spect ri-ˈspekt 

respected; respecting; respects

transitive verb

1

a

: to consider worthy of high regard : esteem

b

: to refrain from interfering with

please respect their privacy

2

: to have reference to : concern

respecter noun

Phrases

in respect of

chiefly British : with respect to : concerning

in respect to

: with respect to : concerning

with respect to

: with reference to : in relation to

Synonyms

Noun

• admiration
• regard
• appreciation

Verb

• admire
• regard
• appreciate

Choose the Right Synonym for respect

regard, respect, esteem, admire mean to recognize the worth of a person or thing.

regard is a general term that is usually qualified.

he is highly regarded in the profession

respect implies a considered evaluation or estimation.

after many years they came to respect her views

esteem implies greater warmth of feeling accompanying a high valuation.

no citizen of the town was more highly esteemed

admire suggests usually enthusiastic appreciation and often deep affection.

a friend that I truly admire

Examples of respect in a Sentence

Noun

The earth's crust floats over a core of molten rock and some of its parts have a tendency to move with respect to one another. —Mario Salvadori, Why Buildings Stand Up, 1990

Anyway any honor sent through the mail and cashable is about the only kind I got any great respect for … —Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being, 1979

Our ragged hero wasn't a model boy in all respects. I am afraid he swore sometimes, and now and then he played tricks upon unsophisticated boys from the country, or gave a wrong direction to honest old gentlemen unused to the city. —Horatio Alger, Ragged Dick, 1868

The Cat only grinned when it saw Alice. It looked good-natured, she thought: still it had VERY long claws and a great many teeth, so she felt that it ought to be treated with respect. —Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, 1865

He has earned their respect.

The soldier saluted as a sign of respect.

Despite our differences, I have enormous respect for him.

I have a great respect for his accomplishments.

I expect to be treated with respect.

Your theory makes sense in one respect.

Verb

Many other critics respect her work, but marginalize her as "the best Polish woman artist" or "the best woman artist of Eastern Europe." —Andrew Solomon, New York Times Book Review, 21 Aug. 1994

He had a weak point—this Fortunato—although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. —Edgar Allan Poe, The Cask of Amontillado, 1846

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof … —The Constitiution of the United States of America

The students respect the principal for his honesty.

I respect what she has accomplished.

You must learn to respect other people's property.

We need to respect the environment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Amid widespread concern about social injustices across the U.S. in 2020, both the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians decided to change their controversial names out of respect for Native Americans. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 21 July 2025

This would mean, unless and until the issue is resolved by the Supreme Court or Congress, legal rights of consumers, businesses and online content providers with respect to data sharing are different in different parts of the country. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 July 2025

Verb

Given that an autonomous AI agent is not likely to respect national boundaries, adequate preparations would involve setting up channels with partners and adversaries alike to coordinate an effective international response. —Matan Chorev, Foreign Affairs, 22 July 2025

Regardless of what the specific goals are, business leaders should respect them. —Gary Ivory, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Latin respectus, literally, act of looking back, from respicere to look back, regard, from re- + specere to look — more at spy

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing respect

• self-respect
• with (all) (due) respect

Rhymes for respect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

Kids Definition

respect

1 of 2 noun

re·​spect ri-ˈspekt 

1

: relation to or concern with something specified : reference

with respect to your last letter

2

a

: high or special regard : esteem

b

plural : expressions of regard or courtesy

pay my respects to your family

3

: detail entry 1 sense 1b

perfect in all respects

respect

2 of 2 verb

1

: to consider worthy of high regard : esteem

2

: to avoid interfering with

respected their wishes

respecter noun