RESPECTABLE Synonyms: 379 Similar and Opposite Words

respectable

adjective

ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl

Definition of respectable

as in respected

having a good reputation especially in a field of knowledge no respectable dietician would advise people to eat just one kind of food

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honorable

following the accepted rules of moral conduct cheating is not a respectable thing to do under any circumstances

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as in polite

following the established traditions of refined society and good taste has the respectable manners of someone who was well brought up

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as in decent

of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards the artwork that we commissioned from the muralist turned out to be respectable but was not quite what we had hoped for

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as in considerable

sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention got paid a respectable sum for speaking at our graduation

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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 respectable Nothing terribly exciting is happening inside this three-bedroom, but there’s lots of light and a respectable amount of space, and the beach is just a few minutes away. — Nora Deligter, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2026 Horror may now be respectable enough for its own sprawling exhibition at the Academy Museum, but Criterion’s October lineup proves there are still plenty of disreputable pleasures to be found. — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Last season, MacPhee’s predecessor Bernardo Cueva managed to help Chelsea earn a respectable return from attacking set pieces, but dead-ball situations at the other end of the pitch remained a glaring weakness. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 So there’s not that much to happen in the last two-thirds of the drama than for your ribs to be constantly nudged with the idea of how easily the most respectable citizens among us will give in to modest proposals and, indeed, murder. — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for respectable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for respectable

Adjective

Contemplation of this tax — which produced $384 million in the last fiscal year — has consumed endless hours of work from some of the county’s most respected leaders, and drawn earnest public testimony from dozens of people.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Now going by that nickname, Cathy appears on the doorstep of a respected brothel run by the warm madam, Faye (Martha Plimpton).

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of respected

Adjective

The conversations remained cordial, despite vehement disagreements at times, with Talarico and the voters engaging in polite small talk before delving into, at times, heavy topics.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The application moves away from last-minute stress, unwanted items, and polite pretense, establishing a modern channel for intentional giving.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of polite

Adjective

The role of a legitimate people’s government is to level the playing field between the billionaires and the rest of us who are just trying to provide ourselves with decent, dignified lives and get ahead.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
Like any decent strength coach, Potts and his staff hold their athletes to the consistent standard of challenging themselves.

— PJ Green October 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

But the fee puts considerable professional access within reach of people financing their own ambitions.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
In Japan, this has meant not only a great deal of collusion between yakuza gangs and law enforcement but also considerable overlap between crime and politics—especially, though not exclusively, right-wing politics.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of considerable

Adjective

In 1987, the New York Humans Rights Commission charged the club with discrimination over its exclusionary membership policies, following similar actions taken against other prestigious clubs like Union League, University and Century Association.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The Hindi-language film has also travelled to prestigious international film festivals, including the Tokyo International Film Festival and Palm Springs International Film Festival.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of prestigious

Adjective

Jones turned in a yeoman's effort, going 22-35 for 155 passing yards and two touchdowns while also keeping the Longhorn defense honest with his legs.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
In McDonnell, his supporters say, the mayor has an honest and principled leader who has managed to steady a department beset by low morale, dwindling staffing levels and aging facilities.

— Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

This should be the proper way to handle things, whenever these idiot artists decide to rant.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Among the errors cited in the August 6 report is a failure to allow proper curing (drying) time for the caulk applied to the expansion joints that separate the basin’s concrete slabs.

— News Desk, Artforum, 16 Oct. 2026