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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Recent Examples of respectful
Bring binoculars and a chair, and make sure to be respectful of the official observers of the day.
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Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Despite clear ideological differences between Trump and former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a leftist, the two leaders managed to forge a relationship that was transactional and ultimately respectful.
—Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Some toxic relational patterns spotlighted within this trend aim to expose and dismantle the societal structures that women, unfortunately, experience in heteronormative relationships, with the hopes of challenging these hurtful norms to create equity and respectful relationships.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 3 Dec. 2024
Being a respectful visitor is not only going to give you a better travel experience but also supports the community that makes the Hana so special.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for respectful 
Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Despite clear ideological differences between Trump and former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a leftist, the two leaders managed to forge a relationship that was transactional and ultimately respectful.
—Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Some toxic relational patterns spotlighted within this trend aim to expose and dismantle the societal structures that women, unfortunately, experience in heteronormative relationships, with the hopes of challenging these hurtful norms to create equity and respectful relationships.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 3 Dec. 2024
Being a respectful visitor is not only going to give you a better travel experience but also supports the community that makes the Hana so special.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024
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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The level of outward emotional expression here is simply kept at a level true to figures who may inwardly be reaching their boiling point, but are still held back by self-respect and polite manners.Dennis Harvey, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
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Then Threads, which has a little bit of an issue of feeling kind of like LinkedIn and being very polite, but then has that benefit of Meta being able to push users from Instagram to Thread.Lauren Goode, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Terry was among the most reverent of Fowler over the weekend.Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 17 Dec. 2024
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But while the performer known as V was, to the world, one of seven young men at the helm of the year’s most polished, cutting-edge wave of contemporary pop dominance, the artist who grew up Kim Tae-hyung was, in his personal life, a reverent fan of a much different genre: jazz.Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Oval Office has only one occupant at a time and Trump won't take over until Jan. 20, but Biden has appeared deferential to letting his successor get involved in negotiations and has not pushed back on his efforts to be engaged in talks.Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 13 Dec. 2024
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Malcolm’s directorial choices diverge from his father’s old-school creative sensibilities; the pacing is faster, the music more dramatic and less deferential to the story’s era.Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Respectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respectful. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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