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
4
: particular, detail
a good plan in some respects
respected; respecting; respects
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
Synonyms
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.
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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.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebCaleigh Bartash, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2023
Friends and family gathered together on Monday, Nov. 20 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, to pay their last respects to Brandi Mallory.
—Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 20 Nov. 2023
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden plan to pay respects to the late Rosalynn Carter, but White House officials declined to say Monday if that includes attending the former first lady's funeral.
—Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner, 20 Nov. 2023
Images: Shutterstock/Getty Images Composite: Mark Kelly Gavin Newsom wants to be President, but in some respects the Governor already is, as the Biden Administration lets California impose its climate rules on the other 49 states.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2023
The only person Drake leaves any respect for on the project?
—Drake Got Heated, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2023
And the Hornets have immense respect for Granite backs Max Turner and Pablo Jackson, who combined have rushed for 1,714 yards and 26 TDs.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2023
The bereaved family would then host members of the community in their home to pay their respects for at least three days of mourning, if not longer.
—Yasmine Salam, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2023
King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate often wear poppy pins on their lapels as a show of respect for the British armed forces.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 9 Nov. 2023
Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law must be respected and upheld at all times.
—Ruth Marks Eglash, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2023
Those who would like to respect their wishes should stop reading after this paragraph.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
But both the actor and Ballad seem to respect the fans and the franchise, not just in terms of investment but in building out things sideways instead of forward.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2023
Xi wants to unify China and Taiwan, while Biden asked that China respect Taiwan’s electoral process ahead of its January presidential election.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2023
But also, social media success it’s respected because everybody’s on social media.
—Jessie Heyman, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2023
The Biden administration has been vocal in urging Guatemalan officials to respect the democratic process and the will of the people, and to refrain from attempts to overturn the election results.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023
In today’s larger, more diverse restaurant scene, these historic Italian spots hold a distinct charm that newcomer chefs respect—but know better than to try to replicate.
—Cameron Quincy Todd, Saveur, 15 Nov. 2023
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Noun
The public will be able to pay respects when the family motorcade carries her remains to her alma mater, Georgia Southwestern State University, on Monday, the Carter Center said.
—Caleigh Bartash, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2023
Friends and family gathered together on Monday, Nov. 20 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, to pay their last respects to Brandi Mallory.
—Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 20 Nov. 2023
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden plan to pay respects to the late Rosalynn Carter, but White House officials declined to say Monday if that includes attending the former first lady's funeral.
—Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner, 20 Nov. 2023
Images: Shutterstock/Getty Images Composite: Mark Kelly Gavin Newsom wants to be President, but in some respects the Governor already is, as the Biden Administration lets California impose its climate rules on the other 49 states.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2023
The only person Drake leaves any respect for on the project?
—Drake Got Heated, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2023
And the Hornets have immense respect for Granite backs Max Turner and Pablo Jackson, who combined have rushed for 1,714 yards and 26 TDs.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2023
The bereaved family would then host members of the community in their home to pay their respects for at least three days of mourning, if not longer.
—Yasmine Salam, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2023
King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate often wear poppy pins on their lapels as a show of respect for the British armed forces.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 9 Nov. 2023
Verb
In recent years, Native American students across the country have been pushing for their traditions to be respected on school grounds and in graduation ceremonies.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law must be respected and upheld at all times.
—Ruth Marks Eglash, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2023
Those who would like to respect their wishes should stop reading after this paragraph.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
But both the actor and Ballad seem to respect the fans and the franchise, not just in terms of investment but in building out things sideways instead of forward.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2023
Xi wants to unify China and Taiwan, while Biden asked that China respect Taiwan’s electoral process ahead of its January presidential election.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2023
But also, social media success it’s respected because everybody’s on social media.
—Jessie Heyman, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2023
The Biden administration has been vocal in urging Guatemalan officials to respect the democratic process and the will of the people, and to refrain from attempts to overturn the election results.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023
In today’s larger, more diverse restaurant scene, these historic Italian spots hold a distinct charm that newcomer chefs respect—but know better than to try to replicate.
—Cameron Quincy Todd, Saveur, 15 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'respect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of respect was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing respect
Dictionary Entries Near respect
Cite this Entry
“Respect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respect. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Copy Citation
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 verb1
: to consider worthy of high regard : esteem
2
: to avoid interfering with
respected their wishes
respecter
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on respect
Nglish: Translation of respect for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of respect for Arabic Speakers
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