Disrespect
/ˌdɪsrɪˈspekt/
Definitions
2 meaningsA lack of respect or courtesy; impoliteness.
/ˌdɪsrɪˈspekt/
Lack of respect or courtesy.
Her disrespectful behavior at the party caused a lot of tension.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone being really, really rude and not caring about how their actions affect others. That's disrespect! It's like when you cut in line or talk back to your teacher.
👶 For kids: Being mean or not polite to someone.
More Examples
The student's disrespect toward the teacher resulted in a detention.
He showed complete disrespect for her feelings.
How It's Used
"His disrespect towards the elders was considered rude."
"The employee's disrespect for company policies led to his termination."
To treat someone or something with a lack of respect; to insult or show contempt for.
/ˌdɪsrɪˈspekt/
To treat someone or something without respect.
He disrespected his elders by ignoring their advice.
💡 Simply: To disrespect someone is to be rude to them, not care about their feelings, or do things that show you don't value them. Think about when you ignore your friend when they're talking, that's a form of disrespect.
👶 For kids: To be not nice to someone or something.
More Examples
They were accused of disrespecting the flag during the protest.
The manager disrespected his employees by belittling their work.
How It's Used
"He constantly disrespected his colleagues by interrupting them."
"The new law was seen as a way to disrespect the traditions."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
show disrespect
To behave in a rude or impolite way.
"He showed disrespect to his opponent after winning the match."
out of disrespect
Because of a lack of respect or courtesy.
"She left the meeting out of disrespect for the chairman's decisions."
From Middle English *disrespeket, from Old French desrespeit (literally ‘lack of respect’).
The word 'disrespect' has been used in a similar sense since the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of someone showing a complete lack of respect – that's disrespect!
Word Origin
"Lack of respect"