Respect vs. Attention — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 25, 2023
Respect is esteem shown towards someone due to their qualities or achievements, while attention is the act of focusing interest or thought on someone or something.
Difference Between Respect and Attention
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Respect involves acknowledging and valuing an individual's qualities, abilities, or achievements. Attention, in contrast, refers to the focus or concentration directed towards a person or subject.
Respect is often earned through one's actions or character and is reflected in the way others treat that individual. Attention can be drawn or given regardless of respect, and is more about the act of noticing or concentrating on something or someone.
Respect is a deeper sentiment, implying admiration and esteem for a person or entity. Attention, however, can be temporary and does not necessarily imply a deeper sense of regard or esteem.
Demonstrating respect can influence positive interactions and relationships. On the other hand, attention can be fleeting and does not always lead to a meaningful connection or interaction.
Respect is often associated with manners and ethical behavior, while attention is more about mental engagement with a person or subject.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Esteem based on qualities/achievements
Focused interest or thought
Acquisition
Often earned through actions or character
Can be drawn or given regardless of respect
Depth of Sentiment
Implies deeper admiration and esteem
Can be temporary, not always deep
Influence on Relations
Leads to positive interactions and relationships
Does not always lead to meaningful connections
Association
Linked with manners and ethical behavior
More about mental engagement
Compare with Definitions
Respect
Respect is admiration for someone's abilities or qualities.
The team showed great respect for their coach's expertise.
Attention
Attention is the act of concentrating on something.
The student paid close attention during the lecture.
Respect
Respect is acknowledging the worth or dignity of someone.
She treated everyone with respect regardless of their status.
Attention
Attention involves noticing or observing something carefully.
Her artwork captured the attention of the audience.
Respect
Respect implies a sense of deep admiration for someone.
His integrity and honesty earned him the respect of his peers.
Attention
Attention can also mean special consideration or regard.
The issue needs immediate attention to prevent escalation.
Respect
Respect is often expressed through polite and considerate behavior.
Showing respect, he listened attentively to his opponent's argument.
Attention
Attention is the behavioral and cognitive process of selectively concentrating on a discrete aspect of information, whether considered subjective or objective, while ignoring other perceivable information. William James (1890) wrote that "Attention is the taking possession by the mind, in clear and vivid form, of one out of what seem several simultaneously possible objects or trains of thought.
Respect
Respect can also mean adherence to social or ethical norms.
They showed respect by observing the cultural traditions.
Attention
Attention can mean mental focus on a specific subject.
He directed his attention to solving the complex problem.
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.
Attention
Attention involves being alert to someone's needs or thoughts.
As a nurse, she gave her full attention to her patients.
Respect
A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem
I have great respect for your work.
Attention
Notice taken of someone or something; the regarding of someone or something as interesting or important
He drew attention to three spelling mistakes
Respect
The state of being regarded with honor or esteem
A leader held in the greatest respect.
Attention
The action of dealing with or taking special care of someone or something
He was found guilty of failing to give a patient adequate medical attention
Her business needed her attention
Respect
Consideration or appreciation
Can't you at least give me some respect?.
Attention
A position assumed by a soldier, standing very straight with the feet together and the arms straight down the sides of the body
Saunders stood stolidly to attention
Respect
Due regard for something considered important or authoritative
Respect for the law.
Attention
The act of close or careful observing or listening
You'll learn more if you pay attention in class.
Respect
A particular aspect, feature, or detail
In many respects this is an important decision.
Attention
The ability or power to keep the mind on something; the ability to concentrate
We turned our attention to the poem's last stanza.
Respect
Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.
Attention
Notice or observation
The billboard caught our attention.
Respect
To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or admire
All the other scholars respect her.
Attention
The act of dealing with something or someone; treatment
This injury requires immediate medical attention.
Respect
To avoid interfering with or intruding upon
Please respect my privacy.
Attention
Acts of interest or interference
"men who wanted ... freedom from censorship and the attentions of the police" (John Kenneth Galbraith).
Respect
To avoid violating
I respected the speed limit throughout the trip.
Attention
A military posture, with the body erect, eyes to the front, arms at the sides, and heels together.
Respect
To relate or refer to; concern
As respects the rights of land owners, this law says nothing.
Attention
Used as a command to assume an erect military posture.
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.
Attention
(uncountable) Mental focus.
Please direct your attention to the following words.
Respect
(uncountable) good opinion, honor, or admiration
Attention
(countable) An action or remark expressing concern for or interest in someone or something, especially romantic interest.
Respect
Polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death.
The mourners paid their last respects to the deceased poet.
Attention
A state of alertness in the standing position.
The company will now come to attention.
Respect
(countable) a particular aspect, feature or detail of something
This year's model is superior to last year's in several respects.
Attention
A technique in neural networks that mimics cognitive attention, enhancing the important parts of the input data while giving less priority to the rest.
Respect
Good will; favor
Attention
(military) Used as a command to bring soldiers to the attention position.
Respect
To have respect for.
She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.
Attention
A call for people to be quiet/stop doing what they are presently doing and pay heed to what they are to be told or shown.
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.
Attention
The act or state of attending or heeding; the application of the mind to any object of sense, representation, or thought; notice; exclusive or special consideration; earnest consideration, thought, or regard; obedient or affectionate heed; the supposed power or faculty of attending.
They say the tongues of dying menEnforce attention like deep harmony.
Respect
To abide by an agreement.
They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.
Attention
An act of civility or courtesy; care for the comfort and pleasure of others; as, attentions paid to a stranger.
Respect
To take notice of; to regard as worthy of special consideration; to heed.
Attention
The process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
Respect
To relate to; to be concerned with.
Attention
The work of caring for or attending to someone or something;
No medical care was required
The old car needed constant attention
Respect
(obsolete) To regard; to consider; to deem.
Attention
A general interest that leads people to want to know more;
She was the center of attention
Respect
(obsolete) To look toward; to face.
Attention
A courteous act indicating affection;
She tried to win his heart with her many attentions
Respect
(Jamaica) hello, hi
Attention
The faculty or power of mental concentration;
Keeping track of all the details requires your complete attention
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.
Attention
A motionless erect stance with arms at the sides and feet together; assumed by military personnel during drill or review;
The troops stood at attention
Respect
To consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor.
Respect
To look toward; to front upon or toward.
Palladius adviseth the front of his house should so respect the uth.
Respect
To regard; to consider; to deem.
To whom my father gave this name of Gaspar,And as his own respected him to death.
Respect
To have regard to; to have reference to; to relate to; as, the treaty particularly respects our commerce.
Respect
The act of noticing with attention; the giving particular consideration to; hence, care; caution.
But he it well did ward with wise respect.
Respect
Esteem; regard; consideration; honor.
Seen without awe, and served without respect.
The same men treat the Lord's Day with as little respect.
Respect
An expression of respect of deference; regards; as, to send one's respects to another.
Respect
Reputation; repute.
Many of the best respect in Rome.
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.
Respect
Relation; reference; regard.
They believed but one Supreme Deity, which, with respect to the various benefits men received from him, had several titles.
Respect
Consideration; motive; interest.
To the publik goodPrivate respects must yield.
Respect
(usually preceded by `in') a detail or point;
It differs in that respect
Respect
The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);
It is held in esteem
A man who has earned high regard
Respect
An attitude of admiration or esteem;
She lost all respect for him
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
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
Respect
A feeling of friendship and esteem;
She mistook his manly regard for love
He inspires respect
Respect
Courteous regard for people's feelings;
In deference to your wishes
Out of respect for his privacy
Respect
Regard highly; think much of;
I respect his judgement
We prize his creativity
Respect
Show respect towards;
Honor your parents!
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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.
