Love vs. Respect — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 17, 2024
Love is an intense, deep affection for someone, often unconditional and emotional, whereas respect involves admiration and valuing someone's qualities or achievements.
Difference Between Love and Respect
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Love is primarily an emotional connection that can be passionate and deeply personal, while respect is based more on admiration and a positive evaluation of a person's actions or qualities.
Love often involves a sense of closeness and intimacy that might not be present in respect, whereas respect can exist without a personal relationship or emotional bond.
Love can be seen as more subjective and can vary greatly from person to person in how it is experienced and expressed, whereas respect is often more objective, based on observable qualities or behaviors that are admired.
Love can exist without respect, especially in cases of toxic or unbalanced relationships, whereas respect usually implies a level of esteem or deference that acknowledges the other person's worth or dignity.
In relationships, love is typically what drives partners to commit and stay together in the long-term, while respect ensures that each partner acknowledges and values the other’s boundaries, opinions, and individuality.
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Comparison Chart
Basis
Emotional attachment
Admiration of qualities
Dependency on Relationship
Yes, often requires closeness
No, can occur without closeness
Expression
Can be non-verbal, emotional
Often verbal or behavioral
Conditionality
Often unconditional
Usually conditional on behavior
Role in Relationships
Fundamental for intimacy
Crucial for mutual appreciation
Compare with Definitions
Love
An intense feeling of affection and care towards a family member or friend.
His love for his children was evident in all his actions.
Respect
To admire someone deeply as a result of their abilities or qualities.
He respected her for her resilience and tenacity.
Love
To like or enjoy very much.
He loves the calm of the early mornings.
Respect
An expression of regard or deference.
His respectful attitude towards elders earned him goodwill.
Love
A great interest and pleasure in something.
Her love for painting kept her busy in her free time.
Respect
A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
She gained great respect for her mentor's honesty.
Love
Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of meanings is that the love of a mother differs from the love of a spouse, which differs from the love of food.
Respect
The act of taking someone's feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions into consideration.
The company respects your privacy and confidentiality.
Love
A strong feeling of affection and concern toward another person, as that arising from kinship or close friendship.
Respect
To show consideration or thoughtfulness towards someone.
They respected his request for some time alone.
Love
A feeling of devotion or adoration toward God or a god.
Respect
Respect, also called esteem, is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important or held in high esteem or regard. It conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities.
Love
A feeling of kindness or concern by God or a god toward humans.
Respect
A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem
I have great respect for your work.
Love
Often Love(Christianity) Charity.
Respect
The state of being regarded with honor or esteem
A leader held in the greatest respect.
Love
An instance of being in love
Teenage loves can be as fleeting as they are intense.
Respect
Consideration or appreciation
Can't you at least give me some respect?.
Love
A person for whom one has strong feelings of affection
She met her new love at the restaurant.
Respect
Due regard for something considered important or authoritative
Respect for the law.
Love
Used as a term of endearment for such a person.
Respect
A particular aspect, feature, or detail
In many respects this is an important decision.
Love
An intense emotional attachment to something, as to a pet or treasured object.
Respect
Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.
Love
An expression of one's affection
Send him my love.
Respect
To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or admire
All the other scholars respect her.
Love
A strong predilection or enthusiasm
A love of language.
Love for the game of golf.
Respect
To avoid interfering with or intruding upon
Please respect my privacy.
Love
The object of such an enthusiasm
The outdoors is her greatest love.
Respect
To avoid violating
I respected the speed limit throughout the trip.
Love
Love(Mythology) Eros or Cupid.
Respect
To relate or refer to; concern
As respects the rights of land owners, this law says nothing.
Love
(Sports) A score of zero, as in tennis.
Respect
(uncountable) an attitude of consideration or high regard
He is an intellectual giant, and I have great respect for him.
We do respect people for their dignity and worth.
Love
To feel love for (a person)
We love our parents. I love my friends.
Respect
(uncountable) good opinion, honor, or admiration
Love
To feel devotion to (God or a god).
Respect
(countable) a particular aspect, feature or detail of something
This year's model is superior to last year's in several respects.
Love
To feel or show kindness or concern to (a person). Used of God or a god.
Respect
Good will; favor
Love
To have an intense emotional attachment to
Loves his house.
Respect
To have respect for.
She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.
Love
To embrace or caress
They were loving each other on the sofa.
Respect
To have regard for something, to observe a custom, practice, rule or right.
I respect your right to hold that belief, although I think it is nonsense.
I respect your right to feel offended, even though most people, myself included, totally disagree and don’t find the comment offensive in the slightest.
Love
To like or desire enthusiastically
Loves swimming.
Respect
To abide by an agreement.
They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.
Love
To thrive on; need
The cactus loves hot, dry air.
Respect
To take notice of; to regard as worthy of special consideration; to heed.
Love
(uncountable) A deep caring for the existence of another.
Respect
To relate to; to be concerned with.
Love
(uncountable) Strong affection.
Respect
(obsolete) To regard; to consider; to deem.
Love
A profound and caring affection towards someone.
A mother’s love is not easily shaken.
My husband’s love is the most important thing in my life.
Respect
(obsolete) To look toward; to face.
Love
Affectionate, benevolent concern or care for other people or beings, and for their well-being.
Respect
(Jamaica) hello, hi
Love
A feeling of intense attraction towards someone.
I have never been in love as much as I have with you.
Respect
To consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor.
Love
A deep or abiding liking for something; an enthusiasm for something.
My love of cricket knows no bounds.
Respect
To look toward; to front upon or toward.
Palladius adviseth the front of his house should so respect the uth.
Love
(countable) A person who is the object of romantic feelings; a darling, a sweetheart, a beloved.
Respect
To have regard to; to have reference to; to relate to; as, the treaty particularly respects our commerce.
Love
A term of friendly address, regardless of feelings.
Hello love, how can I help you?
Respect
The act of noticing with attention; the giving particular consideration to; hence, care; caution.
But he it well did ward with wise respect.
Love
A thing, activity, etc. which is the object of one's deep liking or enthusiasm.
Respect
Esteem; regard; consideration; honor.
Seen without awe, and served without respect.
The same men treat the Lord's Day with as little respect.
Love
An instance or episode of being in love; a love affair.
Respect
An expression of respect of deference; regards; as, to send one's respects to another.
Love
Used as the closing, before the signature, of a letter, especially between good friends or family members, or by the young.
Respect
Reputation; repute.
Many of the best respect in Rome.
Love
(obsolete) A thin silk material.
Respect
Particular; point regarded; point of view; as, in this respect; in any respect; in all respects.
Everything which is imperfect, as the world must be acknowledged in many respects.
In one respect I'll be thy assistant.
Love
A climbing plant, Clematis vitalba.
Respect
Relation; reference; regard.
They believed but one Supreme Deity, which, with respect to the various benefits men received from him, had several titles.
Love
Zero, no score.
So that’s fifteen-love to Kournikova.
Respect
Consideration; motive; interest.
To the publik goodPrivate respects must yield.
Love
Nothing; no recompense.
Respect
(usually preceded by `in') a detail or point;
It differs in that respect
Love
To have a strong affection for (someone or something).
I love my spouse.
I love you!
I love that song!
Respect
The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);
It is held in esteem
A man who has earned high regard
Love
(transitive) To need, thrive on.
Mold loves moist, dark places.
Respect
An attitude of admiration or esteem;
She lost all respect for him
Love
(transitive) To be strongly inclined towards something; an emphatic form of like.
I love walking barefoot on wet grass;
I'd love to join the team;
I love what you've done with your hair
Respect
A courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard;
His deference to her wishes was very flattering
Be sure to give my respects to the dean
Love
To care deeply about, to be dedicated to (someone or something).
Respect
Behavior intended to please your parents;
Their children were never very strong on obedience
He went to law school out of respect for his father's wishes
Love
(transitive) To derive delight from a fact or situation.
I love the fact that the coffee shop now offers fat-free chai latte.
Respect
A feeling of friendship and esteem;
She mistook his manly regard for love
He inspires respect
Love
A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preëminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness; as, the love of brothers and sisters.
Of all the dearest bonds we proveThou countest sons' and mothers' loveMost sacred, most Thine own.
Respect
Courteous regard for people's feelings;
In deference to your wishes
Out of respect for his privacy
Love
Courtship; - chiefly in the phrase to make love, i. e., to court, to woo, to solicit union in marriage.
Demetrius . . . Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena,And won her soul.
Respect
Regard highly; think much of;
I respect his judgement
We prize his creativity
Love
Due gratitude and reverence to God.
Keep yourselves in the love of God.
Respect
Show respect towards;
Honor your parents!
Love
The object of affection; - often employed in endearing address; as, he held his love in his arms; his greatest love was reading.
Open the temple gates unto my love.
Love
Cupid, the god of love; sometimes, Venus.
Such was his form as painters, when they showTheir utmost art, on naked Lores bestow.
Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw Love.
Love
A thin silk stuff.
Love
A climbing species of Clematis (Clematis Vitalba).
Love
Nothing; no points scored on one side; - used in counting score at tennis, etc.
He won the match by three sets to love.
Love
To have a feeling of love for; to regard with affection or good will; as, to love one's children and friends; to love one's country; to love one's God.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.
Love
To take delight or pleasure in; to have a strong liking or desire for, or interest in; to be pleased with; to like; as, to love books; to love adventures.
Wit, eloquence, and poetry.Arts which I loved.
Love
To have the feeling of love; to be in love.
Love
A strong positive emotion of regard and affection;
His love for his work
Children need a lot of love
Love
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
Love
A beloved person; used as terms of endearment
Love
A score of zero in tennis or squash;
It was 40 love
Love
Have a great affection or liking for;
I love French food
She loves her boss and works hard for him
Love
Get pleasure from;
I love cooking
Love
Be enamored or in love with;
She loves her husband deeply
Common Curiosities
Can love exist without respect?
Yes, love can exist without respect, especially in unhealthy relationships where emotional bonds are not supported by mutual esteem.
How are love and respect expressed differently?
Love is often expressed through affection and caring actions, while respect is expressed through actions that acknowledge someone’s worth or dignity.
How does respect contribute to a professional setting?
Respect in a professional setting fosters a positive environment, promoting cooperation and reducing conflicts.
Is respect always mutual?
Respect is ideally mutual but can be one-sided, especially in hierarchical or formal relationships.
What is the core emotion of love?
Love is characterized by a deep, emotional bond that is often both affectionate and caring.
Why is respect important in relationships?
Respect is important as it ensures that each individual’s opinions, boundaries, and personal space are valued and considered.
Can respect turn into love?
Respect can be a foundation upon which deeper, romantic feelings develop, although it does not automatically lead to love.
How do cultural differences impact expressions of love and respect?
Cultural differences can shape how openly and in what ways love and respect are expressed.
Are love and respect equally important in a friendship?
In friendships, both love and respect are important to maintain a balanced and healthy relationship.
How can respect be shown in everyday actions?
Respect can be shown in everyday actions by listening attentively, speaking kindly, and acknowledging others’ contributions.
What can undermine respect in a relationship?
Disrespectful behavior, such as dishonesty, manipulation, or neglect, can undermine respect.
Can love be unconditional while respect is not?
Love can be unconditional, not dependent on the other’s actions, whereas respect generally depends on the person’s behavior or qualities.
How does one earn respect in a community?
Respect in a community is often earned through consistent, honorable actions and contributing positively to the community’s welfare.
What are the consequences of a lack of respect in a workplace?
A lack of respect in the workplace can lead to a toxic environment, decreased morale, and increased turnover.
What role does trust play in love and respect?
Trust is crucial in both love and respect, as it strengthens bonds and ensures reliability and integrity in relationships.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
