respect 1 of 2

noun

ri-ˈspekt How to pronounce respect (audio)
Definition of respectnext
1
as in admiration
a feeling of great approval and liking I have a lot of respect for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s steadfast courage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in regard
relation to or concern with something specified with respect to your application

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in regards
respects plural best wishes give your mother my respects

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

respect

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈspekt How to pronounce respect (audio)
as in to admire
to think very highly or favorably of an upstanding senator who is respected by political allies and foes alike

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb respect contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of respect are admire, esteem, and regard. While all these words mean "to recognize the worth of a person or thing," respect implies a considered evaluation or estimation.

after many years they came to respect her views

When can admire be used instead of respect?

While in some cases nearly identical to respect, admire suggests usually enthusiastic appreciation and often deep affection.

a friend that I truly admire

When could esteem be used to replace respect?

The words esteem and respect can be used in similar contexts, but esteem implies greater warmth of feeling accompanying a high valuation.

no citizen of the town was more highly esteemed

When might regard be a better fit than respect?

The words regard and respect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, regard is a general term that is usually qualified.

he is highly regarded in the profession

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of respect
Noun
That foundation of respect and friendship isn't going anywhere. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 July 2026 That foundation of respect and friendship isn’t going anywhere. — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Verb
The ethos of the festival also involves looking out for fellow attendees, respecting The Farm and taking the loving energy of the festival out into the world. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 While accepting the Living Legend Icon Award, Hill opened up about the importance of respecting others' dignity. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for respect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respect
  1. admiration
  2. regard
  3. regards
  4. admire
  5. appreciation
  6. reference
  7. greetings
  8. appreciate
Noun
  • At a certain point, the admiration for Paraguay’s underdog defiance and spoiling strategy gave way to exasperation.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Trump expressed admiration for Erdogan even while standing beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference last year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of admiration
Noun
  • Most of the commentary was instead focused on younger groups, whose knowledge (and mechanical skills) aren’t held in particularly high regard by anybody.
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 1 July 2026
  • And if an enclosure isn't tightly secured, your chickens will escape and wander off without any regards for property lines.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of regard
Noun
  • And if an enclosure isn't tightly secured, your chickens will escape and wander off without any regards for property lines.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
  • As well as the latest and greatest of the Adult Swim slate, Head of Development Cameron Tang spoke with regards to their shorts program Smalls and its role in developing new series and turning artists into series creators.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 26 June 2026
Definition of regards
Verb
  • The floral still life was so admired that Caroline Louise, Margravine of Baden, spent three years trying to acquire it through her Paris agent.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Still, most homeowners would prefer to admire them from the yard rather than the attic.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of admire
Noun
  • In 1859, Congress expressed the nation’s appreciation by creating the first reservation in Arizona; the two tribes, now known as the Gila River Indian Community, were guaranteed 372,000 acres along the Gila River.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • This could look like offering yourself appreciation, rest or understanding through meditation or journaling.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of appreciation
Noun
  • Her astute observations — and solid Disney fairy tale references — don't stop there.
    — Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • Traders can use the 50-day moving average at $166 as their reference on the downside.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Definition of reference
Noun
  • Elementary school-age kids like Jimmy may enjoy the aquarium at the Seas with Nemo & Friends, games at the exit to Spaceship Earth, character greetings at CommuniCore Hall, different soda flavors from around the world in Club Cool and rides like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure or Frozen Ever After.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • The two men still exchanged voice notes, jokes, and holiday greetings.
    — Nirit Peled, New Yorker, 26 June 2026
Definition of greetings
Verb
  • Caparelli-Ruff said the office appreciated working with the County Board to receive bipartisan support for school safety improvements.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • In Texas, appreciating the process of patriotism Rodney Ellis will celebrate at picnics around his precinct in Houston with barbecue pork ribs and ice tea, and a heaping helping of worry about the nation's future.
    — Susan Bence, NPR, 4 July 2026
Definition of appreciate

Phrases Containing respect

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resources
respect
respectability
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Cite this Entry

“Respect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respect. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of respect for Spanish Speakers

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