Respect vs. Fear — What's the Difference?

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.

Fear is an emotion induced by the perception or recognition of phenomena which can pose a danger or threat. Fear causes physiological changes and therefore may produce behavioral changes, such as mounting an aggressive response or fleeing the threat.

A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem

A very unpleasant or disturbing feeling caused by the presence or imminence of danger

The state of being regarded with honor or esteem

A state or condition marked by this feeling

Consideration or appreciation

A feeling of disquiet or apprehension

Due regard for something considered important or authoritative

A reason for dread or apprehension

A particular aspect, feature, or detail

Extreme reverence or awe, as toward a deity.

Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.

To be afraid or frightened of

To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or admire

To be uneasy or apprehensive about

To avoid interfering with or intruding upon

To consider probable; expect

To avoid violating

To revere or be in awe of (a deity, for example).

To relate or refer to; concern

To be afraid

(uncountable) an attitude of consideration or high regard

To be uneasy or apprehensive

(uncountable) good opinion, honor, or admiration

(uncountable) A strong, uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion or feeling caused by actual or perceived danger or threat.

Polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death.

(countable) A phobia, a sense of fear induced by something or someone.

(countable) a particular aspect, feature or detail of something

(uncountable) Terrified veneration or reverence, particularly towards God, gods, or sovereigns.

Good will; favor

(transitive) To be afraid of (something or someone); to consider or expect (something or someone) with alarm.

To have respect for.

(intransitive) To feel fear.

To have regard for something, to observe a custom, practice, rule or right.

To worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for.

To abide by an agreement.

(transitive) To venerate; to feel awe towards.

To take notice of; to regard as worthy of special consideration; to heed.

(transitive) To regret.

To relate to; to be concerned with.

To cause fear to; to frighten.

(obsolete) To regard; to consider; to deem.

To be anxious or solicitous for.

(obsolete) To look toward; to face.

To suspect; to doubt.

(Jamaica) hello, hi

(dialectal) Able; capable; stout; strong; sound.

To take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed.

A variant of Fere, a mate, a companion.

To consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor.

A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm; dread.

To look toward; to front upon or toward.

Apprehension of incurring, or solicitude to avoid, God's wrath; the trembling and awful reverence felt toward the Supreme Being.

To regard; to consider; to deem.

That which causes, or which is the object of, apprehension or alarm; source or occasion of terror; danger; dreadfulness.

To have regard to; to have reference to; to relate to; as, the treaty particularly respects our commerce.

To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotion of alarm or solicitude.

The act of noticing with attention; the giving particular consideration to; hence, care; caution.

To have a reverential awe of; to be solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.

Esteem; regard; consideration; honor.

To be anxious or solicitous for; now replaced by fear for.

An expression of respect of deference; regards; as, to send one's respects to another.

To suspect; to doubt.

Reputation; repute.

To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach of by fear.

Particular; point regarded; point of view; as, in this respect; in any respect; in all respects.

To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.

Relation; reference; regard.

An emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

Consideration; motive; interest.

An anxious feeling;

(usually preceded by `in') a detail or point;

A profound emotion inspired by a deity;

The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);

Be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event;

An attitude of admiration or esteem;

Be afraid or scared of; be frightened of;

A courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard;

Be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement;

Behavior intended to please your parents;

Be uneasy or apprehensive about;

A feeling of friendship and esteem;

Regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of;

Courteous regard for people's feelings;

Regard highly; think much of;

Show respect towards;