disrespect
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
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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Dear Martin
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"Harbor Me" by Jacqueline Woodson
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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.
No disrespect to the younger Baron, but there is no particular reason to think he will beat the indexes over time.
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
The disrespect will only add to the motivation for the defending Division 1 champions.
From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026
A riled-up Daniel Dubois responded to world champion Fabio Wardley's "bin-man" jibe by vowing to make him pay for showing "disrespect".
From BBC • May 7, 2026
To them, this is another instance of Megan overcoming the disrespect of someone who doesn’t deserve her.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026
When I told them what happened, they were very upset but relieved that I did not disrespect the teacher.
From "The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child" by Francisco Jiménez
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.
