respective

adjective

re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce respective (audio)
Synonyms of respective
1
: particular, separate
their respective homes
2
obsolete : partial, discriminative
respectiveness noun

Synonyms of respective

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Examples of respective in a Sentence

it was late when the concert let out, so we all went our respective ways
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Wing agreed, sending us rummaging through our respective fly boxes. — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026 Both Mansfield and Summit have uphill battles making the postseason in their respective districts, which are arguably the toughest in Texas. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026 Steinberg’s first row came four years after his father took his own life; his second transpired in the wake of a sudden heart attack as well as his mother’s respective suicide. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026 As the Tigers from both LSU and Clemson get set to tangle in Baton Rouge on Saturday to open the 2026 college football season, no one’s more popular on their respective campuses than those BMOCs. — Patricia Babcock McGraw Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for respective

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of respective was in 1597

Rhymes for respective

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Browse Nearby Words

respecting
respective
respectively
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Cite this Entry

“Respective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respective. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

respective

adjective
re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce respective (audio)
: not the same or shared : separate
they hurried to their respective homes
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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