disrespectful

disrespectful — adjective

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

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

behaving or speaking in a way that shows you do not value someone or something as they deserve; rude and failing to offer the regard they are owed.

Example

Linh thought her boss's comment during the morning meeting was deeply disrespectful.

pattern: disrespectful + comment/remark/behaviour

Kasia's father warned her not to speak to her grandmother in such a disrespectful tone.

Common collocations
  • deeply disrespectful
  • highly disrespectful
  • utterly disrespectful
  • disrespectful behaviour
  • disrespectful comment
  • disrespectful tone
  • disrespectful remark
  • disrespectful attitude
  • disrespectful manner
  • disrespectful to/towards
  • considered disrespectful
  • seen as disrespectful
Synonyms
  • rude

    broader meaning covering any kind of impolite behaviour; less specific about the respect dimension

  • impolite

    milder tone; focuses on manners rather than a lack of esteem

  • discourteous

    more formal and somewhat less common; implies a failure to follow polite conventions

  • irreverent

    specifically describes a lack of respect for authority, tradition, or sacred things; can be positive (playfully daring)

Antonyms
  • respectful

    showing proper regard and consideration for others

  • polite

    focuses on good manners rather than the deeper notion of respect

Grammar Patterns

disrespectful + to/towards + someone

it + be + disrespectful + of + someone + to-infinitive

disrespectful + noun (behaviour, comment, tone)

Usage Note

Commonly modifies nouns describing speech or conduct, such as 'behaviour', 'comment', 'tone', 'remark', or 'attitude'. Use the preposition 'to' or 'towards' to specify the person or group affected.

Common Mistakes

He was disrespectful with his teacher.
He was disrespectful to his teacher.
the correct preposition is 'to' or 'towards', not 'with'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe behaviour that fails social or moral expectations, but they differ in scope and tone. 'Disrespectful' carries the strongest moral implication: you are treating someone as unworthy of basic regard. 'Rude' is the broadest term, covering any breach of politeness, from cutting in line to shouting; it does not necessarily imply a lack of esteem. 'Impolite' is milder and focuses on manners — forgetting to say 'thank you' is impolite but not usually disrespectful. 'Discourteous' is a formal synonym for impolite, common in written complaints. 'Irreverent' is narrower: it means showing a playful or mocking lack of respect for authority, tradition, or things usually treated seriously. A stand-up comedian telling a joke about a politician is being irreverent, but not necessarily rude or disrespectful toward the person in the room.

rude ↗impolite ↗discourteousirreverent

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • considered disrespectful
  • seen as disrespectful
  • find something disrespectful

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Disrespectful was formed in English in the early 1600s by adding the prefix 'dis-' (meaning 'not' or 'opposite of') to 'respectful'. The word 'respectful' traces back through French to Latin 'respectus' (regard, consideration), which comes from 'respicere' (to look back at), itself from 're-' (back) and 'specere' (to look). So the literal idea behind 'disrespectful' is 'not looking back with proper regard'.