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
Ukraine and America deserve a respectful dialogue, a clear position from each other.
—
David Brennan, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025
If the discussion is grounded in respectful disagreement, resolution is possible.
—Jacob Hale Russell, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
The public address announcer reminded fans at B.C. Place to be respectful of the singers.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2025
The whole montage was respectful and gracious, with a classical score, rather than a pop chipmunk warbling a sensitive ballad about dead people.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
David Brennan, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025
If the discussion is grounded in respectful disagreement, resolution is possible.
—Jacob Hale Russell, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
The public address announcer reminded fans at B.C. Place to be respectful of the singers.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2025
The whole montage was respectful and gracious, with a classical score, rather than a pop chipmunk warbling a sensitive ballad about dead people.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respectful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respectful
Adjective
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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
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Curiously, the Biden administration sees it this way, too, but still takes a stance deferent to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s fierce advocacy for it and opposition to U.S. sanctions that would target European companies and individuals involved in its construction.—
Jimmy Quinn,
National Review,
20 July 2021
Adjective
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Despite their polite and understated personalities, the Japanese can’t dim their enthusiasm for baseball’s brightest star.—
Jay Paris,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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This said, the movers were very polite and respectful and removed all of the excess packing.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And last fall, Hurley played a set to a hushed, reverent audience at the annual Brooklyn Folk Festival.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
18 Mar. 2025
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Sometimes, the most loving creations are the least reverent.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
11 July 2024
Adjective
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Veterans groups, however, complained that the new court was too deferential to the VA when reviewing the agency’s decisions.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA TODAY,
5 Mar. 2025
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In short, the Trump-Ukraine policy that the country’s defenders feared — one that is overly deferential to Russia and pushes for a quick deal, even at the cost of Ukraine’s sovereignty — appears to be coming to fruition.—
Joshua Keating,
Vox,
20 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to respectful
Cite this Entry
“Respectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respectful. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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