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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of respectful
The result is a Gen Z-meets-mini-Nicole moment that feels like a respectful nod to her famous family lineage.
—
Olivia Allen, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Politicians from both parties in Utah praised Cox's call for unity and respectful debate.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Being corporate should mean being competent, communicative, and respectful; not silencing your personality, culture, or humanity.
—Maxine Harrison, Refinery29, 12 Sep. 2025
Become part of the community in a respectful way and just be aware of cultural erasure.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Olivia Allen, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Politicians from both parties in Utah praised Cox's call for unity and respectful debate.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Being corporate should mean being competent, communicative, and respectful; not silencing your personality, culture, or humanity.
—Maxine Harrison, Refinery29, 12 Sep. 2025
Become part of the community in a respectful way and just be aware of cultural erasure.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respectful
Adjective
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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
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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 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Throughout his unfortunately short life, Charlie committed himself unreservedly to reasoned debate, rational discourse, and the polite exchange of opinion.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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It is paneled in dark wood, the chairs are heavy leather and the murmur of polite, intelligent conversation hangs in the air.—
Benjamin D. Summers,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In a groundbreaking and reverent moment for both music and culture, Clipse—the legendary hip-hop duo comprised of Pusha T and No Malice—became the first hip-hop artists in history to perform at The Vatican.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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This was a somber visit, and the group was reverent, hushed.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Republican senators have largely been deferential to Kennedy.—
Elvia Limon - 09,
The Hill,
7 Sep. 2025
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The surroundings are deferential, completed by a group of friends enjoying conversation encouraged by physical comfort and a visual calm.—
Joseph Giovannini,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Respectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respectful. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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