respectful

adjective

ri-ˈspekt-fəl How to pronounce respectful (audio)
Definition of respectfulnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 respectful Returning from a brief social media hiatus, Adéla revived the conversation with an Instagram post defending Chinouriri and encouraging fans to be more respectful of other artists. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026 Please be kind and respectful of other customers lined up for gas. — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026 Politics with respect Get political stories with respectful analysis. — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026 These sources are confident the deal will be completely finalised soon but are respectful of the CSD's processes and timelines. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for respectful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respectful
  1. deferent
  2. polite
  3. deferential
  4. reverent
Adjective
  • 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 Feb. 2026
  • And many advocates are promoting a vision of public health that’s less dependent on mandates and appeals to authority, and more deferent to individuals’ beliefs.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2025
Definition of deferent
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
  • All that requisite lightness and deference when there was nothing light or deferential about her.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Its rules about transfers and conference membership seem arbitrary and deferential to the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences, college football's most influential.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of deferential
Adjective
  • Brought from the page to the gallery wall, Loran’s diagram looks a bit like anti-art rather than reverent analysis of a masterpiece.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But an extensive fiiing made by the trust to a Tennessee court late Tuesday afternoon paint a different portrait of Seaver than the reverent one seen in the death announcement video.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of reverent

Browse Nearby Words

respected
respectful
respectfully
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Cite this Entry

“Respectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respectful. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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