What does "disrespect" mean?
A lack of respect, esteem or courteous behaviour.
Disrespect
noun, verb
noun, verb ·3 syllables ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A lack of respect, esteem or courteous behaviour.
- Grammar: disrespect is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: discourtesy, affront, affronted, affronts.
- Useful contrasts: civic ethics, civil order guidelines, civil ordering.
- Usage evidence: If throughout your life you abstain from murder, theft, fornication, perjury, blasphemy, and disrespect toward your parents, your church, and your king, you are conventionally held to deserve moral admiration even if you have never done a single kind or generous or useful action.
How to use "disrespect"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "disrespect" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "disrespect" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "disrespect" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "disrespect" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "discourtesy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "disrespect", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A lack of respect, esteem or courteous behaviour. uncountable, usually
"[S]he uſed many arguments both to excuſe her ſelf and divert their intentions, yet adding ſtill more fierceneſs to their former behaviour, as they would not ſeem at all to be ſatisfied either with her language or her tears (notwithſtanding they proceeded more from her apprehenſion of their diſreſpects to her perſon, than out of any ſenſe ſhe had of her own preſent danger) […]"
- 2 a manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous wordnet
- 3 a disrespectful mental attitude wordnet
- 4 an expression of lack of respect wordnet
Verb
- 1 To show a lack of respect to someone or something. transitive
- 2 have little or no respect for; hold in contempt wordnet
- 3 show a lack of respect for wordnet
Antonyms
civic ethicscivil order guidelinescivil orderingcivil progresses
Example
"If throughout your life you abstain from murder, theft, fornication, perjury, blasphemy, and disrespect toward your parents, your church, and your king, you are conventionally held to deserve moral admiration even if you have never done a single kind or generous or useful action."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "disrespect"?
Common synonyms include: discourtesy, affront, affronted, affronts, backtalk, ban.
How do you use "disrespect" in a sentence?
If throughout your life you abstain from murder, theft, fornication, perjury, blasphemy, and disrespect toward your parents, your church, and your king, you are conventionally held to deserve moral admiration even if you have never done a single kind or generous or useful action.
Etymology
From dis- + respect.