Regard vs. Respect — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 27, 2023
"Regard" typically refers to consideration or attention, while "respect" means a deep admiration or esteem for someone or something. Both deal with attitudes, but "respect" carries a tone of reverence.
Difference Between Regard and Respect
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Key Differences
Both words pertain to our attitudes or feelings towards others. "Regard" generally encapsulates attention or consideration. "Respect," conversely, connotes a sense of admiration or esteem.
The word can have a broad application, from simply noticing something ("in this regard") to holding something in a certain esteem ("high regard"). It's about perception and consideration more than deep-seated admiration.
This is deeper than mere attention or acknowledgment. Respect often arises from recognizing someone's worth, qualities, or achievements. It's an attitude of admiration and often involves deference.
There are instances where these words can overlap. For example, holding someone in "high regard" might be similar to "respecting" them. However, the underlying nuances remain distinct.
"Regard" is about attention, acknowledgment, or consideration, while "respect" signifies admiration, esteem, and often deference.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Consideration or attention.
Deep admiration or esteem.
Part of Speech
Primarily noun, but can be used as a verb.
Both noun (feeling) and verb (act of showing).
Depth of Feeling
Can range from neutral to positive.
Typically positive and reverential.
Usage
More general and can be context-dependent.
More specific and centered on admiration.
Derived Terms
Regarding, regardless.
Respectful, disrespect.
Compare with Definitions
Regard
Consideration or attention.
He has a high regard for her opinions.
Respect
Regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others.
Treat everyone with respect.
Regard
A feeling of affection or fondness.
She has a warm regard for her mentors.
Respect
A particular aspect or detail.
The report covers several respects of the issue.
Regard
To consider or think of in a particular way.
I regard him as a friend.
Respect
To admire or hold in high esteem.
I respect your decision to leave.
Regard
To look or gaze upon.
She regarded the painting with awe.
Respect
To avoid harming or interfering with.
Please respect the signs and stay off the grass.
Regard
Consider or think of in a specified way
She regarded London as her base
He was highly regarded by senators of both parties
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.
Regard
(of a thing) relate to; concern
If these things regarded only myself, I could stand it with composure
Respect
A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem
I have great respect for your work.
Regard
Attention to or concern for something
She rescued him without regard for herself
The court must have regard to the principle of welfare
Respect
The state of being regarded with honor or esteem
A leader held in the greatest respect.
Regard
Best wishes (used to express friendliness in greetings)
Give her my regards
Respect
Consideration or appreciation
Can't you at least give me some respect?.
Regard
To think of or consider in a particular way
I regard him as a fool.
Respect
Due regard for something considered important or authoritative
Respect for the law.
Regard
To look at attentively; observe closely
"He regarded the delicate lines of her profile" (Thomas Hardy).
Respect
A particular aspect, feature, or detail
In many respects this is an important decision.
Regard
To relate or refer to; concern
This item regards their liability.
Respect
Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.
Regard
(Archaic) To take into account; consider.
Respect
To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or admire
All the other scholars respect her.
Regard
To give heed; pay attention.
Respect
To avoid interfering with or intruding upon
Please respect my privacy.
Regard
To look or gaze.
Respect
To avoid violating
I respected the speed limit throughout the trip.
Regard
Careful thought or attention; heed
She gives little regard to her sister's teasing.
Respect
To relate or refer to; concern
As respects the rights of land owners, this law says nothing.
Regard
Respect, affection, or esteem
He has little regard for your work.
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.
Regard
Regards Good wishes expressing such sentiment
Give the family my best regards.
Respect
(uncountable) good opinion, honor, or admiration
Regard
A particular point or aspect; respect
She was lucky in that regard.
Respect
Polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death.
The mourners paid their last respects to the deceased poet.
Regard
A look or gaze
"Such quick regards his sparkling eyes bestow" (Alexander Pope).
Respect
(countable) a particular aspect, feature or detail of something
This year's model is superior to last year's in several respects.
Regard
(Obsolete) Appearance or aspect.
Respect
Good will; favor
Regard
(countable) A steady look, a gaze.
Respect
To have respect for.
She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.
Regard
One's concern for another; esteem; relation, reference.
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.
Regard
(preceded by “in” or “with”) A particular aspect or detail; respect, sense.
Respect
To abide by an agreement.
They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.
Regard
(uncountable) The worth or estimation in which something or someone is held.
He is held in great regard in Whitehall.
Respect
To take notice of; to regard as worthy of special consideration; to heed.
Regard
Slang for retard, a very bad stock trader.
Respect
To relate to; to be concerned with.
Regard
To look at; to observe.
She regarded us warily.
Respect
(obsolete) To regard; to consider; to deem.
Regard
(transitive) To consider, look upon (something) in a given way etc.
I always regarded tabloid journalism as a social evil.
He regards honesty as a duty.
I regard such a way of life with distate.
Respect
(obsolete) To look toward; to face.
Regard
To take notice of, pay attention to.
Respect
(Jamaica) hello, hi
Regard
(transitive) To face toward.
Respect
To take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed.
Thou respectest not spilling Edward's blood.
In orchards and gardens, we do not so much respect beauty as variety of ground for fruits, trees, and herbs.
Regard
(transitive) To have to do with, to concern.
Respect
To consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor.
Regard
To set store by (something), to hold (someone) in esteem; to consider to have value, to respect.
Respect
To look toward; to front upon or toward.
Palladius adviseth the front of his house should so respect the uth.
Regard
To keep in view; to behold; to look at; to view; to gaze upon.
Your niece regards me with an eye of favor.
Respect
To regard; to consider; to deem.
To whom my father gave this name of Gaspar,And as his own respected him to death.
Regard
Hence, to look or front toward; to face.
It is peninsula which regardeth the mainland.
That exceedingly beatiful seat, on the ass ent of a hill, flanked with wood and regarding the river.
Respect
To have regard to; to have reference to; to relate to; as, the treaty particularly respects our commerce.
Regard
To look closely at; to observe attentively; to pay attention to; to notice or remark particularly.
If much you note him,You offened him; . . . feed, and regard him not.
Respect
The act of noticing with attention; the giving particular consideration to; hence, care; caution.
But he it well did ward with wise respect.
Regard
To look upon, as in a certain relation; to hold as an popinion; to consider; as, to regard abstinence from wine as a duty; to regard another as a friend or enemy.
Respect
Esteem; regard; consideration; honor.
Seen without awe, and served without respect.
The same men treat the Lord's Day with as little respect.
Regard
To consider and treat; to have a certain feeling toward; as, to regard one with favor or dislike.
His associates seem to have regarded him with kindness.
Respect
An expression of respect of deference; regards; as, to send one's respects to another.
Regard
To pay respect to; to treat as something of peculiar value, sanctity, or the like; to care for; to esteem.
He that regardeth thae day, regardeth it into the LOrd.
Here's Beaufort, that regards nor God nor king.
Respect
Reputation; repute.
Many of the best respect in Rome.
Regard
To take into consideration; to take account of, as a fact or condition.
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.
Regard
To have relation to, as bearing upon; to respect; to relate to; to touch; as, an argument does not regard the question; - often used impersonally; as, I agree with you as regards this or that.
Respect
Relation; reference; regard.
They believed but one Supreme Deity, which, with respect to the various benefits men received from him, had several titles.
Regard
To look attentively; to consider; to notice.
Respect
Consideration; motive; interest.
To the publik goodPrivate respects must yield.
Regard
A look; aspect directed to another; view; gaze.
But her, with stern regard, he thus repelled.
Respect
(usually preceded by `in') a detail or point;
It differs in that respect
Regard
Attention of the mind with a feeling of interest; observation; heed; notice.
Full many a ladyI have eyed with best regard.
Respect
The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);
It is held in esteem
A man who has earned high regard
Regard
That view of the mind which springs from perception of value, estimable qualities, or anything that excites admiration; respect; esteem; reverence; affection; as, to have a high regard for a person; - often in the plural.
He has rendered himself worthy of their most favorable regards.
Save the long-sought regards of woman, nothing is sweeter than those marks of childish preference.
Respect
An attitude of admiration or esteem;
She lost all respect for him
Regard
State of being regarded, whether favorably or otherwise; estimation; repute; note; account.
A man of meanest regard amongst them, neither having wealth or power.
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
Regard
Consideration; thought; reflection; heed.
Sad pause and deep regard become the sage.
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
Regard
Matter for consideration; account; condition.
Respect
A feeling of friendship and esteem;
She mistook his manly regard for love
He inspires respect
Regard
Respect; relation; reference.
Persuade them to pursue and persevere in virtue, with regard to themselves; in justice and goodness with regard to their neighbors; and piefy toward God.
Change was thought necessary in regard of the injury the church did receive by a number of things then in use.
In regard of its security, it had a great advantage over the bandboxes.
Respect
Courteous regard for people's feelings;
In deference to your wishes
Out of respect for his privacy
Regard
Object of sight; scene; view; aspect.
Throw out our eyes for brave Othello,Even till we make the main and the aërial blueAn indistinct regard.
Respect
Regard highly; think much of;
I respect his judgement
We prize his creativity
Regard
Supervision; inspection.
Respect
Show respect towards;
Honor your parents!
Regard
(usually preceded by `in') a detail or point;
It differs in that respect
Respect
A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something.
I have great respect for her work.
Regard
Paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people);
His attentiveness to her wishes
He spends without heed to the consequences
Regard
(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare;
Give him my kind regards
My best wishes
Regard
A long fixed look;
He fixed his paternal gaze on me
Regard
The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);
It is held in esteem
A man who has earned high regard
Regard
A feeling of friendship and esteem;
She mistook his manly regard for love
He inspires respect
Regard
An attitude of admiration or esteem;
She lost all respect for him
Regard
Deem to be;
She views this quite differently from me
I consider her to be shallow
I don't see the situation quite as negatively as you do
Regard
Look at attentively
Regard
Connect closely and often incriminatingly;
This new ruling affects your business
Regard
An aspect or point of view.
In that regard, we must reconsider our decision.
Common Curiosities
Can you "regard" an opinion without agreeing with it?
Yes, regarding an opinion means considering or acknowledging it.
Can "regard" mean affection?
Yes, one can have a warm or affectionate regard for someone.
Is "respect" always positive?
Typically, yes. Disrespect is the term for its negative counterpart.
Does "respect" imply agreement?
Not necessarily. One can respect an opinion without agreeing with it.
Can inanimate objects be respected?
Yes, like respecting a monument or an institution.
Does "high regard" equal "respect"?
They're similar, but "respect" usually conveys deeper admiration.
Is "regarding" the same as "about"?
Often, yes. "Regarding your letter" can mean "about your letter."
Can "regard" be used as a verb?
Yes, as in "she regards him highly."
Can you lose someone's respect?
Yes, through actions or decisions that they disapprove of.
Can "regard" mean esteem?
Yes, especially when one holds someone or something in "high regard."
Are "with all due respect" and "in this regard" common phrases?
Yes, the former is a polite disagreement, and the latter refers to a specific aspect.
Can an object be regarded?
Yes, one can regard a painting or scene, for example.
How do you show respect?
By acknowledging worth, being polite, listening, and understanding boundaries.
Is "in regard to" a correct phrase?
Yes, it means concerning or with reference to.
Can you have respect for an enemy?
Yes, often relating to their abilities or qualities, even if you oppose them.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
