RESPECTIVE Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

respective

adjective

ri-ˈspek-tiv

Definition of respective

as in different

not the same or shared it was late when the concert let out, so we all went our respective ways

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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 respective While both approaches work for their respective purposes, science is always seeking a law that can explain everything. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 Steve Jobs and Tim Cook solved Apple’s biggest problems of their respective eras — building new products people loved and then manufacturing them at global, margin-fattening scale. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Still, a commitment to winning cannot be altogether abandoned, something that the leaders will certainly instill in their respective position groups. — Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2026 Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb have paused multiple trials evaluating their respective cell therapy programs against autoimmune conditions after observing inflammatory side effects in testing, BioPharma Dive reports. — Andrew Joseph, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for respective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for respective

Adjective

The system administrator should have different capabilities than a patrol officer.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Chaparral features interchangeable cargo pods, enabling operators to adapt the aircraft for different missions without altering its core platform.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of different

Adjective

Trump does not appear anywhere else on the website, aside from a list of endorsements that previously appeared on the homepage but has been moved to a separate page.

— Steve Peoples, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Luiz understands that aspect, too, acknowledging that Sporting KC needed him four separate times during Thursday’s news conference.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of separate

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respecting

respective

respectively

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“Respective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respective. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of respective

adjective

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