Respects — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb phrase preposition /ri-ˈspekt/ (noun) /ˌself-ri-ˈspekt/ (noun) re·spect

Meaning & Definition of Respects

Respects (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
  4. a proper respect for oneself as a human being
  5. regard for one's own standing or position

Respects (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

Respects (phrase)

  1. to attend a funeral as a sign of respect for the person who died
  2. to visit or speak with someone in a polite way as a sign of respect

Respects (preposition)

  1. in regard to, with respect to

Respects (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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

Respects (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: admires, appreciates, considers, esteems, regards, sets store by
    related: acclaims, accredits, applauds, approves, commends, compliments, credits, praises, delights (in), drinks (in), enjoys, relishes, revels (in), savors, digs, fancies, favors, grooves (on), likes, loves, adores, adulates, canonizes, deifies, dotes (on), hallows, idolizes, reverences, reveres, venerates, worships, cherishes, prizes, treasures, values
    near: abhors, abominates, despises, detests, execrates, hates, loathes, condemns, decries, deplores, disapproves, discountenances, discounts, disdains, disfavors, dislikes, dismisses, disregards, frowns (on or upon), kisses off, scorns, vilifies

Related Entry: Respect (noun)

Respect is a different word from Respects. The synonyms below are for respect, not for respects.

  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

Related Entry: Respect (verb)

Respect is a different word from Respects. The synonyms below are for respect, not for respects.

  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: As regards (preposition)

As regards is a different word from Respects. The synonyms below are for as regards, not for respects.

  1. having to do with

    "as regards her suggestions, I think they require further consideration"

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

Related Entry: Self-respect (noun)

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

  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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Respects

The most common words with a similar meaning to Respects:

Archaic: commendations
compliment, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, admires, appreciates, considers, esteems, sets store by

Related Words for Respects

approval, benediction, blessing, endorsement, acknowledgment, citation, commendation, adulation, flattery, praise, well-wishing, acclaims, accredits, applauds, approves, commends, compliments, credits, praises, delights (in), drinks (in), enjoys, relishes, revels (in), savors, digs, fancies, favors, grooves (on), likes

Near Antonyms of Respects

dig, gibe, insult, put-down, taunt, abhors, abominates, despises, detests, execrates, hates, loathes, condemns, decries, deplores, disapproves, discountenances, discounts, disdains, disfavors, dislikes, dismisses, disregards, frowns (on or upon), kisses off, scorns, vilifies

Word Forms of Respects

Inflections: respected, respecting

Derived words: respecter (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Respects

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

Words & Phrases Containing Respects

pay one's last respects, pay one's respects

Frequently Asked Questions about Respects

What does "Respects" mean?

"Respects" means a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and deserves appropriate treatment or regard, consideration. As an a noun, a verb, a phrase and a preposition, 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 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Respects"?

Other words for "Respects" include commendations, compliment, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, admires and appreciates. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Respects" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Respects"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Respects". Common alternatives include commendations, compliment, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, admires, appreciates, considers and esteems.

How do you use "Respects" in a sentence?

Examples of "Respects" in a sentence: "give your mother my respects"; "an upstanding senator who is respected by political allies and foes alike".

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

"Respects" can be used as a noun, a verb, a phrase and a preposition, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Respects"?

"Respects" is pronounced /ri-ˈspekt/ as a noun and /ˌself-ri-ˈspekt/ as a noun and divided into syllables as re·spect.

What is the origin of the word "Respects"?

"Respects" comes from 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.

What is another word for "Respects" meaning "best wishes"?

When "Respects" (noun) means best wishes, synonyms include commendations, compliment, congratulations, felicitations, greetings and regards.