You had better keep him at a respectful distance.
Source: tatoeba (15800)
Respectful
/ɹɪˈspɛkt.fl̩/
Synonyms for "respectful" (126 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (26)
Adjective(9 words)
academic toneappropriate behaviorchivalrouscivilcivil discourse improvementcivil progress policycivil progress reportcivilized countrycivilized debate
Noun(5 words)
Verb(1 words)
behave civilly in class
Strong matches (37)
Noun(8 words)
classmate acceptanceclassroom tonecortesescourteous remarkcourteous tonescurtseyingdeferringethical social practice
Adjective(13 words)
common social virtueconsideratecourteouscourteous tonecultural interpretationculture-aware case studydeep reverencedeferentialdevotional motifsdigital messaging safetyesteemed institutionformal bowformal languages
Verb(1 words)
Related words (63)
Adjective(26 words)
formal modelformal permissionformal stylefriendly classroomgentle approachhealthy classroom ecosystemhigh behavioral qualityinterpersonal tacticobeisantoccitan reverénciaopen discussionpolitepolite behavior guidelinespolite clarificationpolite mannerpolite requestpolite smilepolite stylepolitestproper ssn
Show 6 more words
Adjective(2 words)
gentlemanlygracefulgracioushonorifichumbleladylikelaudatorymannerlymoralobedientobligingobservantpanegyricpoliteregardfulreverentreverentialscrupuloussolicitoustactful
Show 4 more words
Noun(9 words)
good conducthonoringlisteningrefugee displacementreverencingstudent matteringsupportive staffteacher recognitionwell mannered
Adverb(1 words)
more civil progresses
Determiner(1 words)
most civil progress index
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: academic tone, acclamatory, accommodating, addressing term, admiring.
- Sentence evidence is available for respectful, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "respectful".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "respectful"
Keep "respectful" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "respectful" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "respectful", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "respectful" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
3 entriesMore specific
4 entriesCollocations
5 entriesrespectful attituderespectful behaviorrespectful greetingrespectful mannerrespectful tone
Inflections
2 entriesmore respectfulmost respectful
Derivations
2 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
7 entriesSample sentences
13 total sentences available.
You should be respectful to your teachers.
Source: tatoeba (19067)
I stood at a respectful distance from the old man.
Source: tatoeba (262288)
We have to be respectful to our seniors.
Source: tatoeba (268361)
Showing 4 of 13 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "respectful"?
Closest matches include academic tone, acclamatory, accommodating, addressing term, admiring.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "respectful"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.