ENGLISH
REFERENCE

disrespectful

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌdɪsɹɪˈspɛktfəɫ// UK //dˌɪsɹɪspˈɛktfəl// dis·re·spect·ful

adj. showing a lack of politeness or honor toward someone or something. You are being disrespectful if you treat a person as if they are not important.

adj. characterised by a lack of respect or courtesy toward a person, institution, or belief. Often describes behavior that violates social or professional hierarchies.


SIMPLE

It is disrespectful to talk while the teacher is speaking.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager felt that the employee's constant interruptions during the meeting were deeply disrespectful to the rest of the team.

COMPLEX

While some viewed the protest as a necessary political statement, others considered the act of defacing the monument to be inherently disrespectful to the nation's history and its veterans.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From dis- + respectful.

Usage

Commonly followed by the preposition 'to' or 'towards'.

Pitfall

he was disrespectful with mehe was disrespectful to meThe adjective 'disrespectful' typically takes the preposition 'to' or 'towards' when identifying the target of the behavior.

© 2026 English Reference