Respect - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT respect /riˈspɛkt/ /rəˈspɛkt/ IPA guide

Other forms: respects; respecting; respected

Respect is a way of treating or thinking about something or someone. If you respect your teacher, you admire her and treat her well.

People respect others who are impressive for any reason, such as being in authority — like a teacher or cop — or being older — like a grandparent. You show respect by being polite and kind. For a lot of people, taking your hat off is a show of respect. When people are insulted or treated badly, they feel they haven't been treated with respect. You can respect things as well as people. Saying the Pledge of Allegiance shows respect to your country.

Definitions of respect

verb regard highly; think much of “I respect his judgement” synonyms: esteem, prise, prize, value see moresee less antonyms: disrespect have little or no respect for; hold in contempt types: show 6 types... hide 6 types... think the world of esteem very highly fear, revere, reverence, venerate regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of admire, look up to feel admiration for enshrine, saint hold sacred worship show devotion to (a deity) envy feel envious towards; admire enviously type of: consider, reckon, regard, see, view deem to be
verb show respect towards synonyms: abide by, honor, honour, observe see moresee less antonyms: disrespect show a lack of respect for types: celebrate, lionise, lionize assign great social importance to tolerate recognize and respect (rights and beliefs of others) type of: accept consider or hold as true
noun an attitude of admiration or esteem “she lost all respect for him” synonyms: esteem, regard see moresee less antonyms: disrespect a disrespectful mental attitude types: estimate, estimation the respect with which a person is held report, reputation the general estimation that the public has for a person type of: attitude, mental attitude a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
noun a feeling of friendship and esteem “he inspires respect” synonyms: regard see moresee less type of: affection, affectionateness, fondness, heart, philia, tenderness, warmheartedness, warmness a positive feeling of liking
noun courteous regard for people's feelings “out of respect for his privacy” synonyms: deference, respectfulness see moresee less type of: courtesy, good manners a courteous manner
noun the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded) synonyms: esteem, regard see moresee less types: stature high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement type of: honor, honour, laurels the state of being honored
noun a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard “be sure to give my respects to the dean” synonyms: deference see moresee less types: court, homage respectful deference last respects the act of expressing respect for someone who has died props proper respect type of: civility, politeness the act of showing regard for others
noun behavior intended to please your parents “he went to law school out of respect for his father's wishes” synonyms: obedience see moresee less type of: filial duty duty of a child to its parents
noun (usually preceded by `in') a detail or point “it differs in that respect” synonyms: regard see moresee less type of: detail, item, point an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

Pronunciation US /riˈspɛkt/ UK /rəˈspɛkt/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Vocabulary lists containing respect

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Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was originally called in the localities in which it was celebrated, began as an occasion for decorating the graves of soldiers who had died fighting in the U.S. Civil war. Declared a national holiday in 1966, it is traditionally observed by decorating fallen soldiers' graves, honoring them with parades, speeches, and concerts, and gathering for picnics and family gatherings. Celebrate Memorial Day with these words that help promote an understanding of the holiday's meaning. Then look for more meaning in the day by learning vocabulary from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and recite the famous memorial oration on this solemn day.

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Aretha Franklin, “The Queen of Soul,” died on August 16, 2018 at the age of 76. Franklin’s versions of songs like "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" and “Natural Woman” are all-time classics. Her career spanned multiple genres and six decades, during which she won 18 Grammy awards and sang for several US presidents. Franklin was awarded the US's highest civilian honor when President George W. Bush awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. Here are some words from her music.

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