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Synonyms

disrespect

American  
[dis-ri-spekt] / ˌdɪs rɪˈspɛkt /

noun

  1. lack of respect; discourtesy; rudeness.

    Synonyms:
    irreverence, disregard, contempt

verb (used with object)

  1. to regard or treat without respect; regard or treat with contempt or rudeness.

disrespect British  
/ ˌdɪsrɪˈspɛkt /

noun

  1. contempt; rudeness

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to show lack of respect for

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • disrespectful adjective
  • disrespectfully adverb
  • disrespectfulness noun

Etymology

Origin of disrespect

First recorded in 1605–15; dis- 1 + respect

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.

Raleigh said after the Arozarena snub that he meant no disrespect to his teammate and that he’s simply trying to put on a game face for an international competition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

"It shows absolute disrespect for the court, the jury and this entire process," said Judge Subramanian in court on Monday.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

The unions still accused him of fostering disrespect.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

Kaufman stressed: "The defence does not disrespect the soul of any deceased person, nor does it make light of the loss of life."

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

In the face of this systemic disrespect, blacks were encouraged by their leaders to hold their heads high.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

Definitions 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.