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

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in regard

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

With a dominant defensive line and the ability to run the ball, the Trailblazers certainly deserve respect. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 On Sunday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation for the first time since youth protests began one month ago, calling for calm, unity, and respect. — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026

Verb

Companies that truly respect your data collect only what the product needs and can explain every field. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 That said, existing open-source licenses will reportedly be respected, including AI models and academic papers. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for respect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for respect

Noun

Saxberger is wary, but Meyers’s admiration touches something, and soon the older man’s convinced to join a nightly meeting of young aesthetes.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Over time, my envy of Dad eased into a warm — if still grudging — admiration.

— Daniel Duane, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of admiration

Noun

Concerns that the administration is outrunning the courts The judges’ frustrations have also centered on the speed with which the administration is pushing ahead on the projects with little regard for the approvals needed to pursue such work.

— Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Mobile QBs have been a weakness for this defense all year — and the 6-foot-6 McKee didn’t pose much of a threat in this regard.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of regard

Verb

On top of these heat-seeking missiles, the platforms play to humans’ (particularly teens’) need to be accepted and admired by peers.

— Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
As for the suites, the highlight is their private terraces, peaceful havens from which to admire, paradoxically, the urban whirlwind swirling below.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of admire

Noun

For all her appreciation of history, Chiuri is determined to look forward.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
The minister presented al-Shahat and his wife with certificates of appreciation, and awarded them a trip to Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage in recognition of his honesty and responsible conduct for not keeping the discovery to himself.

— Ahmed Shawkat, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of appreciation

Noun

Their art selection is peppered with Alexander Calder mobiles, Ellsworth Kelly canvases, and Gerhard Richter paintings, works that offer plenty of reference material, naturally.

— Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Investigators found antisemitic messages and other items in Horn's car and storage unit, including a journal containing references to Nazism and white supremacy.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of reference

Noun

In the age of computers and social media, old-fashioned pen and paper are still preferred by many for writing letters, thank-you notes, holiday and birthday greetings — at least according to Paolo Porta, chief executive officer of Smythson.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Owner Alejandro Godinez moves between orders and greetings, stopping to hug regulars and call customers by name.

— Daniela Cintron - For the AJC, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of greetings

Verb

Apple Turnovers Grandma always appreciated a smart shortcut, and these apple turnovers have that—frozen puff pastry makes the crust on these turnovers quick and easy.

— Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026
Years later, Kancey appreciated cheesesteaks from D’Alessandro’s, a shop known for its amazing bread.

— Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of appreciate

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“Respect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respect. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of respect

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing respect

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to respect

Merriam-Webster's Words of the Year 2018

Respectively vs. Respectfully

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year 2015

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