Respect — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ri-ˈspekt/ re·spect

Meaning & Definition of Respect

Respect (noun)

  1. a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and deserves appropriate treatment or regard, consideration
  2. high or special regard, esteem
  3. the quality or state of being esteemed

Respect (verb)

  1. to consider worthy of high regard, esteem
  2. to act in a way which shows awareness of (someone's rights, wishes, etc.)
  3. to treat or deal with (something good or valuable) in a proper way

Respect (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a feeling of great approval and liking

    "I have a lot of respect for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s steadfast courage"

    similar: account, admiration, appreciation, esteem, estimation, favor, regard
    related: appetite, fancy, fondness, like, love, partiality, preference, relish, shine, taste, use, acclamation, adoration, adulation, approbation, deference, hero worship, homage, honor, idolatry, infatuation, lionization, praise, props (slang), reverence, veneration, worship, delight, enjoyment, amazement, awe, wonder, wonderment, enthusiasm, interest, passion, bias, prejudice, affection, attachment, devotion
    opposite: disfavor
    near: condemnation, disapproval, disdain, opprobrium, scorn, disappointment, discontent, disenchantment, disgruntlement, disillusionment, displeasure, indignation, unhappiness, aversion, contempt, disfavor, disgust, disinclination, dislike, disliking, disregard, distaste, hate, hatred, loathing, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, abomination, antipathy, detestation, deprecation, dissatisfaction

  2. relation to or concern with something specified

    "with respect to your application"

    similar: reference, regard

  3. best wishes

    "give your mother my respects"

    similar: commendations (archaic), compliment, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards
    related: approval, benediction, blessing, endorsement, acknowledgment, citation, commendation, adulation, flattery, praise, well-wishing
    near: dig, gibe, insult, put-down, taunt

Respect (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to think very highly or favorably of

    "an upstanding senator who is respected by political allies and foes alike"

    similar: admire, appreciate, consider, esteem, regard, set store by
    related: acclaim, accredit, applaud, approve, commend, compliment, credit, praise, delight (in), drink (in), enjoy, relish, revel (in), savor, dig, fancy, favor, groove (on), like, love, adore, adulate, canonize, deify, dote (on), hallow, idolize, revere, reverence, venerate, worship, cherish, prize, treasure, value
    near: abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe, condemn, decry, deplore, disapprove, discount, discountenance, disdain, disfavor, dislike, dismiss, disregard, frown (on or upon), kiss off, scorn, vilify

Related Entry: Self-respect (noun)

Self-respect is a different word from Respect. The synonyms below are for self-respect, not for respect.

  1. a reasonable or justifiable sense of one's worth or importance

    "getting a job and moving out of his parents' house did a lot to increase his self-respect"

    similar: ego, pride, pridefulness, self-esteem, self-regard
    related: aplomb, assurance, confidence, self-assurance, self-assuredness, self-confidence, self-pride, self-trust, self-worth, dignity, face, honor, prestige
    near: discredit, disesteem, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, humiliation, ignominy, infamy, obloquy, odium, opprobrium, shame, demureness, down-to-earthness, humbleness, humility, modesty, diffidence, meekness, shyness, timidity, timidness

Related Entry: In respect to (phrase)

In respect to is a different word from Respect. The synonyms below are for in respect to, not for respect.

  1. having to do with

    "I have a few questions in respect to your last comment."

    similar: about, apropos, apropos of, as far as, as for, as regards, as to, concerning, of, on, regarding, respecting, touching, toward, in regard to, in view of, with regard to, with respect to
    related: over

Related Entry: With respect to (phrase)

With respect to is a different word from Respect. The synonyms below are for with respect to, not for respect.

  1. having to do with

    "I would like to share some thoughts with respect to their teaching methodology."

    similar: about, apropos, apropos of, as far as, as for, as regards, as to, concerning, of, on, regarding, respecting, touching, toward, in regard to, in respect to, in view of, with regard to
    related: over

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Respect

The most common words with a similar meaning to Respect:

Archaic: commendations
account, admiration, appreciation, esteem, estimation, favor, regard, reference, compliment, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, admire, appreciate, consider, set store by

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Respect

Words with the opposite meaning of Respect:

disfavor

Related Words for Respect

appetite, fancy, fondness, like, love, partiality, preference, relish, shine, taste, use, acclamation, adoration, adulation, approbation, deference, hero worship, homage, honor, idolatry, infatuation, lionization, praise, props, reverence, veneration, worship, delight, enjoyment, amazement

Near Antonyms of Respect

condemnation, disapproval, disdain, opprobrium, scorn, disappointment, discontent, disenchantment, disgruntlement, disillusionment, displeasure, indignation, unhappiness, aversion, contempt, disgust, disinclination, dislike, disliking, disregard, distaste, hate, hatred, loathing, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, abomination, antipathy

Word Forms of Respect

Inflections: respected, respecting, respects

Derived words: respecter (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Respect

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

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Respect

Words & Phrases Containing Respect

in respect of, in respect to, self-respect, with respect to, with (all) (due) respect

Frequently Asked Questions about Respect

What does "Respect" mean?

"Respect" means a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and deserves appropriate treatment or regard, consideration. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and deserves appropriate treatment or regard, consideration. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Respect"?

Other words for "Respect" include account, admiration, appreciation, esteem, estimation, favor, regard and reference. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Respect" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Respect"?

There are 94 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Respect". Common alternatives include account, admiration, appreciation, esteem, estimation, favor, regard, reference, commendations and compliment.

What is the opposite of "Respect"?

Antonyms of "Respect" include disfavor. Near antonyms include condemnation, disapproval, disdain and opprobrium.

How do you use "Respect" in a sentence?

Examples of "Respect" in a sentence: "I have a lot of respect for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s steadfast courage"; "with respect to your application"; "give your mother my respects".

Is "Respect" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Respect" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Respect" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Respect" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Respect"?

"Respect" is pronounced /ri-ˈspekt/ and divided into syllables as re·spect.