with all due respect

Idioms

Although I think highly of you, as in With all due respect, you haven't really answered my question, or With all due respect, that account doesn't fit the facts. This phrase always precedes a polite disagreement with what a person has said or brings up a controversial point. [c. 1800]

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.

But, and I ask this with all due respect, is it too late to give this sequel a more clever title?

From Salon • Jan. 4, 2026

“Because he started the university, with all due respect to graduates of other universities.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2025

"I think, with all due respect, the better question is, do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people," she continued.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2024

Eilish’s song is arresting and finely crafted; with all due respect to Warren, I think it’s the most worthy winner.

From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2024

“Sir, with all due respect, I think it best if we take this one into the stable ourselves,” he said, voice solemn.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023