as in deferent
marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status
the children were remarkably respectful while in the president's office
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of respectful
To that point, the playwright is shyly respectful, and that stage picture of her son at the door may be Purpose’s defining image.
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2025
He was raised by older parents and was very innocent, very serious and respectful.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Between the lines: Other prominent liberals have ventured into the belly of the beast with a different mindset — engage in fierce but respectful debate with the goal of publicly exposing MAGA's flaws.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
Linus O’Brien gives that chapter of the story a respectful 20 minutes, with lots of rambunctious footage and a sweet acknowledgment of Sal Piro, one of the earliest and most influential superfans, who died in 2023.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2025
He was raised by older parents and was very innocent, very serious and respectful.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Between the lines: Other prominent liberals have ventured into the belly of the beast with a different mindset — engage in fierce but respectful debate with the goal of publicly exposing MAGA's flaws.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
Linus O’Brien gives that chapter of the story a respectful 20 minutes, with lots of rambunctious footage and a sweet acknowledgment of Sal Piro, one of the earliest and most influential superfans, who died in 2023.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respectful
Adjective
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The Ptolemaic model depicted planets moving around Earth in a big circle, known as a deferent, then going around a smaller circle while retrograding, called an epicycle.—
Carlie Procell,
USA TODAY,
25 Nov. 2024
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Curiously, the Biden administration sees it this way, too, but still takes a stance deferent to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s fierce advocacy for it and opposition to U.S. sanctions that would target European companies and individuals involved in its construction.—
Jimmy Quinn,
National Review,
20 July 2021
Adjective
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Though he was disappointed by the loss, Page didn't demonstrate any further wrestling tactics on Seacrest and ended the show with a polite handshake.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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His boss and co-worker remember him as quiet, polite and professional.—
James Bandler,
ProPublica,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Since the film’s release, last November, critics have been divided over whether Prieto was too reverent toward Rulfo’s work.—
Stephania Taladrid,
The New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2025
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The performance is soft and delicate, with the few people in attendance affording Gibson the reverent silence that was so lacking in Austin.—
Matthew Ismael Ruiz,
Vulture,
17 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Largely deferential to Herro this season, this was the rare opportunity of Adebayo having the stage to himself . . .—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Mar. 2025
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Veterans groups, however, complained that the new court was too deferential to the VA when reviewing the agency’s decisions.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA TODAY,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Respectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respectful. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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