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
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are disrespectingprogressive
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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:
"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
If we treat the women in our lives with disrespect and deceit, we aren’t exactly the picture of a feminist ally.
From Slate ● Jun. 2, 2026
You can't publicly disrespect him twice the way he has and get away with it.
From BBC ● May 18, 2026
The disrespect will only add to the motivation for the defending Division 1 champions.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2026
“Herschel, I ask mechilah from you for any disrespect this might cause you,” I whispered.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Clark not only disrespects officials, she is unafraid to show up her coach Stephanie White, as witnessed by their recent viral exchange on the bench during a loss to the Portland Fire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2026
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
In a Facebook post, the Museum said these images were a "dangerous distortion" which "disrespects victims and harasses their memory".
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 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 was a runaway and a thief and a liar, and if there was a word for someone who disrespects a monk in his own temple, he was that, too.
From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat
“It’s disappointing in that regard, to feel disrespected a little bit.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
A second crisis hit Flavio's campaign when his stepmother, Michelle Bolsonaro, posted an Instagram video saying he had "disrespected me and mistreated me ... he said I didn't understand anything about politics."
From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026
He struggled to win over the crowd during his astonishing 2019 Wimbledon final victory over Federer and felt disrespected by their cheers in his match against Holger Rune two years ago.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
Labour group leader, councillor Kate Ewert, said smaller councils had been "disrespected and ignored" during the process.
From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2026
She and Dad happily railed against anyone they disliked or disrespected: Standard Oil executives, J. Edgar Hoover, and especially snobs and racists.
From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls
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
“Starbucks’ long pattern of disrespecting workers’ rights stands in stark contrast to the Olympic spirit, which celebrates human dignity, fairness, solidarity, and teamwork,” Eisen said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2025
Others have been accused of disrespecting the dead and exploiting vulnerable people in grief.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2025
“Sneaking around out and about is one thing, but parading through school like this, disrespecting Dave?”
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
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.
