Meaning & use
unrespectable
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Not considered decent or socially acceptable by most people.
Grammar: Describes a person, group, place, or activity; it is not used with 'very' or 'more'.
Patterns
- an unrespectable person
- unrespectable behavior
- an unrespectable neighborhood
The family thought the nightclub was an unrespectable place for a young woman to work.
He was seen as an unrespectable figure because of his gambling debts.
Living in that unrespectable part of town made it hard for her to find a good job.
adjectivenot comparable
Not deserving of respect or admiration because of poor quality or low standards.
Grammar: Often used of actions, ideas, or results that people judge harshly.
Patterns
- unrespectable conduct
- an unrespectable result
- unrespectable motives
The committee called his unrespectable conduct a disgrace to the profession.
They dismissed the proposal as an unrespectable attempt to cut corners.
Her unrespectable reasons for leaving the job surprised everyone.
Common combinations
- unrespectable behavior
- The teacher warned the students that unrespectable behavior would not be tolerated.
- an unrespectable person
- In those days, an unrespectable person could be shunned by the whole village.
- unrespectable part of town
- They avoided the unrespectable part of town after dark.
- consider something unrespectable
- Many people consider working in a bar unrespectable in that culture.
Synonyms and how they differ
- disreputable
- Stronger and more formal; it suggests a bad reputation, while 'unrespectable' focuses on lacking social approval.
- shameful
- Focuses on moral wrongness and the feeling of shame, not just on low social standing.
- low-class
- Informal and often offensive; it judges social class, whereas 'unrespectable' judges respectability.
Opposites
Word family
- respectable adjective
- Considered decent and socially acceptable.
- respectability noun
- The quality of being socially acceptable or decent.
- unrespectability noun
- The state of not being respectable; rare and formal.
- respect noun
- Admiration or polite treatment toward someone.
- respectably adverb
- In a way that is socially acceptable or decent.
Commonly confused: unrespectable or disrespectful?
unrespectable vs disrespectful
Disrespectful means rude to someone; unrespectable means not socially acceptable, which is a different idea.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'unrespectable' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 correctly describes behavior that is not socially acceptable. Option 1 should use 'disrespectful' because it means rude to someone. Option 2 should use 'inedible' or 'bad' for food quality. Option 3 should use 'unrespected' or 'disrespected' for feeling that others do not respect you.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “unrespectable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.