RESPECT Synonyms: 153 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

respect 1 of 2

noun

ri-ˈspekt

Definition of respect next

as in regard

relation to or concern with something specified with respect to your application

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to admire

to think very highly or favorably of an upstanding senator who is respected by political allies and foes alike

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples 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

Certain information has been provided by and/or is based on third party sources and, although such information is believed to be reliable, no representation is made with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such information. —

Katie Stockton, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024 In some respects, Meta’s reticence is just part of a broader cultural shift. —

Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

The most basic, if not always honored, norm of international order—one that has endured for some 400 years—is that borders are to be respected. —

Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024 As Americans cast their votes, a Chinese Embassy spokesperson reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to respecting the United States' internal affairs, stating that China hopes to collaborate with the U.S. regardless of the election's outcome. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for respect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for respect

Noun

But the court also stated that there were triable issues of fact with regard to the duration of the bite.

Jason Green, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
Subcompacts like the $17,000 Mitsubishi Mirage and the $16,400 Nissan Versa simply can’t compete with the aforementioned laws of physics with regard to crash protection as well as compact and midsize cars and SUVs.

Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024