respect
15 synonyms and 12 antonyms for respect, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A feeling of admiration for someone or something, based on their qualities or achievements.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use respect
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French respect, from Latin respectus, "a looking back, regard" — from re- ("back") plus specio ("to see"). A doublet of "respite".
Full origin of respect →Frequently asked questions
What does “respect” mean?
The word “respect” means a feeling of admiration for someone or something, based on their qualities or achievements.
How do you pronounce “respect”?
“Respect” is pronounced rih-SPEHKT (/ɹɪˈspɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “respect” in a sentence?
Here is “respect” used in a sentence: “She earned the respect of her colleagues through hard work.”
What is the opposite of “respect”?
The opposite of “respect” — its antonyms — are belittlement, contempt, contumely, despect and disdain.
What part of speech is “respect”?
Depending on how it is used, “respect” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “respect” come from?
The word “respect” comes from Latin. From Old French respect, from Latin respectus, "a looking back, regard" — from re- ("back") plus specio ("to see"). A doublet of "respite".
Is “respect” a common word?
“Respect” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “respect” have?
“Respect” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling of admiration for someone or something, based on their qualities or achievements.
What is the difference between respect and admiration?
Respect is recognising someone's worth, rights, or authority and treating them accordingly, even if you do not personally like them. Admiration is a warmer feeling of approval and delight in someone's qualities or achievements. You can respect a rival's skill without admiring them, though the two feelings often go together.
What is the difference between respect and fear?
Respect is admiration or regard freely given because of someone's qualities or position. Fear is anxiety about being harmed. A leader who is respected is followed willingly; one who is only feared is obeyed reluctantly. Healthy authority relies on earned respect rather than intimidation, even though people sometimes confuse the two.
Can respect be earned?
Yes. While basic courtesy is owed to everyone, deeper respect is usually earned through consistent honesty, competence, fairness, and how a person treats others. It builds over time and can be lost quickly through dishonest or careless behaviour. This is the idea behind the common phrase 'respect is earned, not given'.
What is the opposite of respect?
The main opposites are 'contempt' and 'disrespect'. Contempt is an active feeling that someone is beneath consideration, while disrespect is rude or dismissive treatment that denies a person's worth. Both signal the absence of the admiration and regard that respect involves, and both can seriously damage relationships and trust.