Antonyms for Respect: Opposite Words

Updated 2026-10-12 · Synonyms List editorial team

Quick answer: The direct opposite of respect is contempt, which involves looking down on someone or something with disdain. Other strong antonyms include disrespect, disdain, and scorn, all indicating a clear lack of honor or regard for another person. Milder alternatives like neglect or indifference suggest a passive failure to value others properly.

Direct Opposites of Respect

disrespect: The open violation of expected social norms; she showed him no respect by interrupting constantly.
disdain: A feeling of superiority and dislike; he looked at the task with utter disdain.
contempt: A strong feeling that someone or something is worthless; her actions filled him with deep contempt.
scorn: The feeling that someone is so inferior it is not worth responding to; she met the offer with pure scorn.
derision: Mockery or ridicule that mocks someone severely; the crowd offered their derision at his failed attempt.
contumacy: Willful disobedience or resistance to authority; the judge noted his contumacy in refusing the order.
disregard: A failure to take notice of or care about someone; he proceeded with total disregard for safety rules.
neglect: The failure to care for someone or something properly; his neglect of the garden grew visibly over time.

Milder Opposites of Respect

indifference: A lack of interest or concern; she watched the event with complete indifference.
apathy: A lack of emotion or enthusiasm; his apathy toward the group project was obvious to everyone.
insignificance: A lack of importance or value; he felt a sense of insignificance compared to the leaders.
triviality: The quality of being unimportant or unworthy of serious consideration; the meeting focused on triviality rather than results.
insensitivity: A lack of awareness of others feelings; his comment revealed a deep lack of sensitivity.
oblivion: The state of being unaware or forgotten; he left the room in a state of total oblivion.
dismissal: The act of treating an idea or person as unimportant enough to ignore entirely.
despisement: An active hatred or dislike that results in rejecting someone or their views.

Formal Antonyms for Respect

disrepute: Damage to reputation or standing; his actions quickly led to a loss of disrepute in the community.
infamy: Noted for a bad reason; the historical figure is remembered for his infamy rather than honor.
sneering: Expressing contempt with a mocking tone; he spoke with a sneering tone that hurt the audience.
defiance: Openly refusing to obey authority or social norms stands as a formal counter to respect.
arrogance: Believing oneself superior to others directly contradicts the humility often paired with respect.

Best Opposite by Situation

in an essay: Use disdain to show strong opposition; the author used disdain to critique the outdated theory.
talking about people: Use contempt for deep personal dislike; he spoke with contempt about the dishonest politician.
in a business meeting: Use disregard to show ignoring rules; the team showed disregard for the safety protocol.
during a conflict: Use scorn to express anger; she met his demands with open scorn.
in casual conversation: Use disrespect to show casual rudeness; he showed disrespect by laughing at her joke.
in a legal document: Use contumacy to describe defiance; the judge cited his contumacy during the trial.

Example Sentences With the Opposites

His actions filled me with a deep sense of disdain for his arrogance.
She showed pure scorn when he tried to manipulate the situation.
The crowd offered their derision at his failed attempt to lead.
His willful contumacy made it impossible for the judge to proceed fairly.
He proceeded with total disregard for the safety rules everyone knew.
Her neglect of the family responsibilities became a source of pain.
The manager showed indifference to the urgent needs of the staff.
His apathy toward the project goals was evident from the start.
The letter was signed with disdain for the unfair proposal.
She met his demands with open scorn and refused to listen.
The historical figure is remembered for his infamy rather than honor.
The team showed disregard for the safety protocol during the game.

How to Choose the Right Opposite

To select the correct antonym for respect, first consider the intensity of the negative feeling you wish to convey. Strong feelings of superiority or hatred require words like contempt or disdain, while a softer lack of care fits indifference or neglect. Context matters greatly as well; legal situations might call for contumacy, whereas casual conversation often uses disrespect or scorn. Always ensure the word matches the specific relationship and tone of your sentence to avoid confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the strongest opposite of respect?

The strongest opposite of respect is contempt, which implies a deep feeling that someone is worthless. Other strong options include disdain and scorn, all indicating a clear lack of honor or regard for another person in a severe manner.

What is a milder opposite of respect?

A milder opposite of respect is indifference, which suggests a lack of interest or concern rather than active dislike. Neglect and apathy also work here, indicating a passive failure to value others properly without the aggression found in contempt.

Can you use contempt in a formal context?

Yes, contempt can be used in formal contexts to describe a strong feeling of disrespect or scorn. However, words like contumacy are often preferred in legal documents when describing willful disobedience or resistance to authority within a structured environment.

Is disrespect a true antonym of respect?

Yes, disrespect is a true antonym because it directly contradicts the core meaning of showing regard. While different words like disdain or scorn add specific nuances of mockery or superiority, disrespect simply denotes a failure to honor or value someone as respect demands.