disrespect

disrespect — noun

1. a way of speaking or behaving that shows you do not value someone or something a

1.nounB1
Definition

a way of speaking or behaving that shows you do not value someone or something as they deserve to be valued

Example

The players showed disrespect by leaving the pitch during the minute of silence.

collocation: show disrespect — followed by 'by + -ing' clause

Arjun took his manager's public criticism as a sign of disrespect toward the whole team.

collocation: a sign of disrespect + toward [someone]

Common collocations
  • show disrespect
  • deep/profound/utter disrespect
  • a sign/act/mark of disrespect
  • treat with disrespect
  • disrespect for/toward
Synonyms
  • contempt

    stronger — suggests active scorn rather than mere absence of respect

  • disdain

    more formal; implies a feeling of superiority

  • rudeness

    broader — covers any impolite behavior, not specifically a lack of respect

  • disregard

    can be unintentional neglect; disrespect implies deliberate rudeness

Antonyms
  • respect

    the direct opposite — valuing someone as they deserve

  • admiration

    implies positive appreciation, not just basic regard

  • esteem

    formal; high regard combined with respect

Common Mistakes

His disrespects toward the coach were obvious.
His disrespect toward the coach was obvious.
Disrespect is uncountable and has no plural form.
She showed a disrespect for the rules.
She showed disrespect for the rules.
No article 'a' is used before the uncountable noun 'disrespect'.

2. a polite phrase said before giving an opinion that the listener may find upsetti

2.nounB2
Definition

a polite phrase said before giving an opinion that the listener may find upsetting or offensive, as a way of showing you do not intend to be rude

Example

"No disrespect to your parents," Indra said carefully, "but I have to disagree with their decision."

fixed phrase: 'no disrespect to [person]' — polite disclaimer before disagreement

No disrespect to the chef, Xiu, but this fish is far too salty for my taste.

Common collocations
  • no disrespect to [someone]
  • no disrespect, but...
Synonyms
  • no offense

    roughly equivalent, though 'no disrespect' is more face-saving before direct disagreement

  • with all due respect

    more formal and often used in professional or legal settings

Grammar Patterns

no disrespect to + noun / no disrespect, but + clause

Usage Note

Only used in the fixed phrase 'no disrespect'. It is always followed either by 'to' + a noun phrase (naming the person or group) or by 'but' + the critical opinion. Not used in affirmative or interrogative sentences.

Common Mistakes

Disrespect, I think you are wrong.
No disrespect, but I think you are wrong.
The full fixed phrase is 'no disrespect'; 'disrespect' alone does not carry this polite-disclaimer meaning.

disrespect — verb

Word family

  • disrespectful
    adjectiveB1
  • disrespectfully
    adverbB2
  • disrespected
    adjectiveB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a negative attitude toward someone or something, but they differ in intensity and scope. 'Contempt' is the strongest — it implies active scorn and a judgment that someone is worthless ('She looked at the liar with cold contempt'). 'Disdain' is more about looking down on something as beneath your attention, often shown through a facial expression or tone ('He waved his hand with clear disdain'). 'Disregard' is the mildest; it can mean simply not paying attention, sometimes unintentionally ('The driver showed complete disregard for the speed limit'). 'Insolence' specifically describes rude, defiant behavior toward someone in authority ('The student was sent out for insolence'). 'Disrespect' sits between 'disregard' and 'contempt': it is deliberate but does not require the same level of emotional intensity as 'contempt' or the rebelliousness of 'insolence'. For everyday situations, 'disrespect' is the most natural and versatile choice.

contempt ↗disdaindisregardinsolence

Common collocations

Nouns

  • act of
  • sign of
  • mark of
  • gesture of

Adverbs

Phrases

  • with disrespect
  • as an act of disrespect

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'disrespect' combines the prefix 'dis-' (meaning 'not' or 'opposite of') with 'respect', which entered English from French 'respect' and ultimately comes from Latin 'respectus' ('regard, consideration'), from 'respicere' ('to look back at, look at again'). The noun appeared in the early 1600s; the verb followed about a century later. The prefix 'dis-' here reverses the meaning: where 'respect' values someone highly, 'disrespect' marks the absence of that regard.