disrespect
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
-
disrespects,
present (3rd person singular)
-
disrespected,
past participle, past
-
disrespecting
present participle
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
disrespectsimple
-
disrespectssimple
-
have disrespectedperfect
-
has disrespectedperfect
-
am disrespectingprogressive
-
are disrespectingprogressive
-
is disrespectingprogressive
-
have been disrespectingperfect progressive
-
has been disrespectingperfect progressive
Past
-
disrespectedsimple
-
had disrespectedperfect
-
was disrespectingprogressive
-
were disrespectingprogressive
-
had been disrespectingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of disrespect
Explanation
To disrespect someone is to act in an insulting way toward them. When you disrespect people, you think very little of them. Disrespect is all about not showing respect. Actually, it's about showing the opposite of respect, by acting rude, impolite, and offensive. Talking back to your teacher is showing disrespect for her authority. Not giving up your seat to an elderly person is an act of disrespect. So is ignoring the customs and culture in a foreign country. The slang abbreviation dis comes from disrespect and means the same thing.
Vocabulary lists containing disrespect
Common Senses: Spec, Spect, Spic ("Look")
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
National media pundits, Philadelphia media pundits, and even some Philadelphia Eagles fans disrespect him.
From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2026
“No disrespect for Portland State, but that’s the way it should look when you execute the way we’re supposed to execute.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
He added that they treated the Royal Family with "great disrespect".
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
"Systematic maintenance efforts are being carried out" to prevent "any disrespect toward the commemorative statues", and to ensure "future generations can continue to study Myanmar's historical heritage in a correct and appropriate manner", she added.
From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026
“You disrespect your King, and I will not tolerate that,” he snapped.
From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo
To rely on acquitted conduct disrespects the jury’s role and undermines public faith in our criminal-justice system.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2025
And the more Sue disrespects the week on/week off balance, the more Elisabeth will suffer varicose veins, thinning, graying hair, sagging breasts, and other indignities of aging.
From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2024
“He has disgraced his country and disrespects everyone around him because he is a sad individual who is mad about how his miserable life has turned out.”
From Washington Times ● Dec. 25, 2023
“This tweet insults, gaslights & disrespects on an epic level,” tweeted activist and “Why I Resist” author Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2022
“You require no instruction in this matter ... to sit before guests ... it disrespects them and the house.”
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
"You didn't like the joke, I understand, but please stop saying I disrespected Kate," Henry said.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
Mashburn was expected to support it at an August board meeting, but he didn’t, and said the county still felt disrespected.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
It does not care whether it was hidden or disrespected, whether you craved it or merely added it, whether the broccoli arrived under a glossy blanket of cheese.
From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2026
“I’ve always felt very loved by the people of Mexico. I’ve never disrespected anyone,” he said during an interview with “Simplemente Fútbol.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
I’ve had this happen to me, and I always feel a bit like I’m being disrespected.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
It respects the people around me without disrespecting myself.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026
In doing so, he will be disrespecting the wishes of his wife.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 17, 2025
When addressing someone they look down on or are disrespecting, the Yautja use wul, while someone they respect would be addressed as dau.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2025
If one isn't putting as much effort in, "it can feel like they're disrespecting the relationship", she says.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2025
“I think you are the one who is disrespecting me,” Kaede countered, hot with anger.
From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
