Respect vs. Honor — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 12, 2024
Respect is acknowledgment of a person's qualities or achievements, whereas honor involves deep admiration and high regard, often tied to moral codes or achievements.
Difference Between Respect and Honor
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Respect is earned through one’s actions, abilities, or achievements, highlighting the appreciation and acknowledgment from others. On the other hand, honor carries a more profound sense of admiration and esteem, often associated with ethical qualities, achievements, or a distinguished status.
Respect can be given to anyone regardless of their status or relationship, based on their behavior or accomplishments. Whereas honor is usually conferred upon individuals as a recognition of their exemplary qualities or contributions to society, suggesting a higher level of distinction.
Respect is often expressed through polite gestures, listening, and valuing opinions, demonstrating an appreciation for another's qualities or position. On the other hand, honor may involve ceremonial recognition, awards, or titles, showcasing a societal acknowledgment of an individual’s high moral standards or achievements.
While respect is dynamic and can fluctuate based on actions and interactions, honor tends to be more stable, often associated with long-standing values or historical achievements. Honor can also be inherited or bestowed by virtue of one’s position or lineage, unlike respect which is typically earned.
Respect is crucial in daily interactions, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among individuals. Whereas honor, while still relevant, often pertains to formal recognition or moral integrity, influencing societal norms and values.
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Comparison Chart
Basis
Actions, abilities, achievements
Ethical qualities, achievements, status
Expression
Politeness, listening, valuing opinions
Ceremonial recognition, awards, titles
Scope
Anyone regardless of status
Individuals with exemplary qualities
Stability
Dynamic, can fluctuate
More stable, associated with long-term values
Societal Role
Facilitates daily interactions
Influences norms, values, formal recognition
Compare with Definitions
Respect
Recognition of someone's worth or abilities.
She earned the team's respect with her decision-making.
Honor
Celebratory acknowledgment for achievements.
The festival was held in honor of the local heroes.
Respect
Showing consideration for others' feelings or rights.
He showed respect by listening attentively.
Honor
Moral principles guiding conduct, seen as a virtue.
Upholding family honor has always been important to him.
Respect
Courtesy towards others' opinions and beliefs.
Debating with respect ensures a constructive conversation.
Honor
High respect. esteem of a profound nature.
He received a medal of honor for his bravery.
Respect
Acknowledgment of social, cultural, or professional standings.
Respect for elders is fundamental in many societies.
Honor
Adherence to what is right, showing integrity.
She acted with honor in reporting the misconduct.
Respect
An attitude of admiration towards someone's abilities.
Her resilience in adversity commands respect.
Honor
A privilege or recognition of achievement.
Being chosen as the keynote speaker was a great honor.
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.
Honor
High respect, as that shown for special merit; recognition or esteem
The honor shown to a Nobel laureate.
The place of honor at the table.
Respect
A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem
I have great respect for your work.
Honor
Great privilege
I have the honor of presenting the governor.
Respect
The state of being regarded with honor or esteem
A leader held in the greatest respect.
Honor
Good name; reputation
I must defend my honor.
Respect
Consideration or appreciation
Can't you at least give me some respect?.
Honor
A source or cause of credit
Was an honor to the profession.
Respect
Due regard for something considered important or authoritative
Respect for the law.
Honor
A mark, token, or gesture of respect or distinction, such as a military decoration.
Respect
A particular aspect, feature, or detail
In many respects this is an important decision.
Honor
Public acts or ceremonies showing respect
Was buried with full honors.
Respect
Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.
Honor
Special recognition for unusual academic achievement
Graduated with honors.
Respect
To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or admire
All the other scholars respect her.
Honor
A program of advanced study for exceptional students
Planned to take honors in history.
Respect
To avoid interfering with or intruding upon
Please respect my privacy.
Honor
Social courtesies offered to guests
Did the honors at tea.
Respect
To avoid violating
I respected the speed limit throughout the trip.
Honor
High rank
Assumed the honor of kingship.
Respect
To relate or refer to; concern
As respects the rights of land owners, this law says nothing.
Honor
Honor Used with His, Her, or Your as a title and form of address for certain officials, such as judges and the mayors of certain cities
Her Honor, Judge Jones.
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.
Honor
A sense of principled uprightness of character; personal integrity
Conducted herself with honor.
Saw the challenge as a matter of honor.
Respect
(uncountable) good opinion, honor, or admiration
Honor
A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms.
Respect
(countable) a particular aspect, feature or detail of something
This year's model is superior to last year's in several respects.
Honor
A woman's chastity or reputation for chastity.
Respect
Good will; favor
Honor
(Sports) The right of being first at the tee in golf.
Respect
To have respect for.
She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.
Honor
Any of the four or five highest cards, especially the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of the trump suit, in card games such as bridge or whist.
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.
Honor
Often honors The points allotted to these cards.
Respect
To abide by an agreement.
They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.
Honor
To hold in respect; esteem
A researcher who is highly honored for her work.
Respect
To take notice of; to regard as worthy of special consideration; to heed.
Honor
To show respect for
Honored the volunteers with a party.
Respect
To relate to; to be concerned with.
Honor
To confer distinction on
He has honored us with his presence.
Respect
(obsolete) To regard; to consider; to deem.
Honor
To bow to (another dancer) in square dancing
Honor your partner.
Respect
(obsolete) To look toward; to face.
Honor
To accept or pay as valid
Honor a check.
A store that honors all credit cards.
Respect
(Jamaica) hello, hi
Honor
(uncountable) recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration of someone, usually for being morally upright or successful
The crowds gave the returning general much honor and praise.
Respect
To consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor.
Honor
(uncountable) the state of being morally upright, honest, noble, virtuous, and magnanimous; excellence of character; the perception of such a state; favourable reputation; dignity
He was a most perfect knight, for he had great honor and chivalry.
His honor was unstained.
Respect
To look toward; to front upon or toward.
Palladius adviseth the front of his house should so respect the uth.
Honor
A privilege
I had the honour of dining with the ambassador.
Respect
To have regard to; to have reference to; to relate to; as, the treaty particularly respects our commerce.
Honor
(in the plural) the privilege of going first
I'll let you have the honours, Bob—go ahead.
Respect
The act of noticing with attention; the giving particular consideration to; hence, care; caution.
But he it well did ward with wise respect.
Honor
(golf) the right to play one's ball before one's opponent.
Respect
Esteem; regard; consideration; honor.
Seen without awe, and served without respect.
The same men treat the Lord's Day with as little respect.
Honor
A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament.
He is an honour to his nation.
Respect
An expression of respect of deference; regards; as, to send one's respects to another.
Honor
(feudal law) a seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended
Respect
Reputation; repute.
Many of the best respect in Rome.
Honor
In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit. In some other games, an ace, king, queen or jack.
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.
Honor
(in the plural) (courses for) an honours degree: a university qualification of the highest rank
At university I took honours in modern history.
Respect
Relation; reference; regard.
They believed but one Supreme Deity, which, with respect to the various benefits men received from him, had several titles.
Honor
(transitive) to think of highly, to respect highly; to show respect for; to recognise the importance or spiritual value of
The freedom fighters will be forever remembered and honored by the people.
Respect
Consideration; motive; interest.
To the publik goodPrivate respects must yield.
Honor
(transitive) to conform to, abide by, act in accordance with (an agreement, treaty, promise, request, or the like)
I trusted you, but you have not honored your promise.
Refuse to honor the test ban treaty
Respect
(usually preceded by `in') a detail or point;
It differs in that respect
Honor
(transitive) to confer (bestow) an honour or privilege upon (someone)
Ten members of the profession were honored at the ceremony.
The prince honored me with an invitation to his birthday banquet.
Respect
The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);
It is held in esteem
A man who has earned high regard
Honor
(transitive) to make payment in respect of (a cheque, banker's draft, etc.)
I'm sorry Sir, but the bank did not honour your cheque.
Respect
An attitude of admiration or esteem;
She lost all respect for him
Honor
Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence.
A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country.
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
Honor
That which rightfully attracts esteem, respect, or consideration; self-respect; dignity; courage; fidelity; especially, excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue; nobleness.
Godlike erect, with native honor clad.
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
Honor
Purity; chastity; - a term applied mostly to women, but becoming uncommon in usage.
If she have forgotHonor and virtue.
Respect
A feeling of friendship and esteem;
She mistook his manly regard for love
He inspires respect
Honor
A nice sense of what is right, just, and true, with course of life correspondent thereto; strict conformity to the duty imposed by conscience, position, or privilege; integrity; uprightness; trustworthness.
Say, what is honor? 'T is the finest senseOf justice which the human mind can frame,Intent each lurking frailty to disclaim,And guard the way of life from all offenseSuffered or done.
I could not love thee, dear, so much,Loved I not honor more.
Respect
Courteous regard for people's feelings;
In deference to your wishes
Out of respect for his privacy
Honor
That to which esteem or consideration is paid; distinguished position; high rank.
I have given thee . . . both riches, and honor.
Thou art clothed with honor and majesty.
Respect
Regard highly; think much of;
I respect his judgement
We prize his creativity
Honor
Fame; reputation; credit.
Some in their actions do woo, and affect honor and reputation.
If my honor is meant anything distinct from conscience, 't is no more than a regard to the censure and esteem of the world.
Respect
Show respect towards;
Honor your parents!
Honor
A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament; as, he is an honor to his nation.
Honor
A title applied to the holders of certain honorable civil offices, or to persons of rank; as, His Honor the Mayor. See Note under Honorable.
Honor
A seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended.
Honor
Academic or university prizes or distinctions; as, honors in classics.
Honor
The ace, king, queen, and jack of trumps. The ten and nine are sometimes called Dutch honors.
Honor
To regard or treat with honor, esteem, or respect; to revere; to treat with deference and submission; when used of the Supreme Being, to reverence; to adore; to worship.
Honor thy father and thy mother.
That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.
It is a customMore honor'd in the breach than the observance.
Honor
To dignify; to raise to distinction or notice; to bestow honor upon; to elevate in rank or station; to ennoble; to exalt; to glorify; hence, to do something to honor; to treat in a complimentary manner or with civility.
Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighten to honor.
The name of Cassius honors this corruption.
Honor
To accept and pay when due; as, to honora bill of exchange.
Honor
A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction;
An award for bravery
Honor
The state of being honored
Honor
The quality of being honorable and having a good name;
A man of honor
Honor
A woman's virtue or chastity
Honor
Bestow honor or rewards upon;
Today we honor our soldiers
The scout was rewarded for courageus action
Honor
Show respect towards;
Honor your parents!
Honor
Accept as pay;
We honor checks and drafts
Common Curiosities
Can honor be lost?
Yes, honor can be lost if the individual fails to uphold the ethical standards or achievements associated with it.
How do societies honor individuals?
Societies honor individuals through awards, titles, ceremonies, or public recognition for their contributions or ethical qualities.
Is respect always mutual?
While respect is ideally mutual, it can be one-sided, depending on the individuals’ perceptions and actions.
How is respect shown in daily life?
Respect is shown through polite gestures, active listening, and valuing others' opinions and rights.
Can respect turn into honor?
Yes, consistent respect and admiration for an individual's qualities or achievements can evolve into honor.
Can respect be demanded?
While one can demand respect, it is more effectively earned through actions and interactions.
Does respect contribute to a healthy work environment?
Yes, respect is foundational for a healthy work environment, promoting cooperation, understanding, and productivity.
What role does honor play in personal relationships?
In personal relationships, honor plays a role in maintaining integrity, trust, and mutual respect based on ethical principles.
Can one have honor without respect?
It’s possible to have honor without universal respect, as honor can be specific to certain achievements or ethics valued by a particular group.
How does honor relate to one's reputation?
Honor directly relates to one’s reputation, as it reflects societal acknowledgment of an individual’s moral integrity or achievements.
How can one regain lost respect or honor?
Regaining lost respect or honor involves demonstrating consistent integrity, rectifying past mistakes, and contributing positively to the community or relationship.
Is honor the same across cultures?
The concept of honor varies across cultures, influenced by societal values, history, and traditions.
Are respect and honor interchangeable?
While related, respect and honor are not interchangeable, as each has distinct meanings and contexts.
How do personal actions affect respect?
Personal actions greatly affect respect, as it can be gained or lost based on one’s behavior, achievements, or how one treats others.
Is it important to teach respect and honor?
Teaching respect and honor is crucial for fostering ethical behavior, mutual understanding, and societal cohesion.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
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.
