# disrespect

/ˌdɪsɹɪˈspɛkt/ (US) · /dˌɪsɹɪspˈɛkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disrespect
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. to treat rudely

verb · CEFR B2

to treat someone or something without respect, often by being rude or ignoring them.

For teachers: to show a lack of respect to someone or something. Transitive verb requiring a direct object.

- He felt that his boss disrespected him by giving the promotion to someone else.
- In many cultures, to turn your back on an elder while they are speaking is to disrespect them in a way that is difficult to forgive.

Usage: This verb is often used in the passive voice to describe how someone feels they have been treated.

## Examples

- He showed great disrespect by arriving late to the ceremony.
- The students were warned that any disrespect toward the guest speaker would result in immediate suspension.
- While the protest was intended to highlight systemic inequality, some critics argued that the methods used showed a fundamental disrespect for the city's historical monuments.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.