Submissive vs. Respect — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 23, 2024
Submissiveness involves yielding or deferring to others' authority or wishes, often passively, whereas respect is the admiration for or recognition of another's qualities, boundaries, or rights.
Difference Between Submissive and Respect
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Submissiveness typically manifests as an inclination to yield to the will or authority of others, often without asserting one's own opinions or desires. In contrast, respect involves acknowledging and valuing the qualities, opinions, and rights of others without necessarily implying obedience or deference.
Being submissive can sometimes stem from a position of lower power or self-esteem, where the individual feels compelled to acquiesce to others. On the other hand, respect is generally perceived as a positive attribute that enhances interpersonal relationships and is rooted in a mutual understanding and valuation of individuals’ inherent worth.
In many relationships, particularly those involving authority figures like bosses or teachers, submissiveness may be expected or enforced as a form of compliance. Conversely, respect is essential in all interactions and is expected to be reciprocal, fostering a healthy, balanced dynamic.
Submissiveness often requires one to act in accordance with someone else’s directives, sometimes at the expense of one's own needs or preferences. Respect, however, demands the appreciation of another’s autonomy and choices, supporting a more equal and fair interaction.
While submissiveness can lead to a one-sided relationship dynamic where one party consistently dominates, respect encourages a relationship built on mutual understanding and equal standing, where both parties appreciate and consider each other's perspectives and rights.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Yielding to others' authority or will
Admiration and acknowledgment of someone's qualities and rights
Basis of Behavior
Often stems from lower power or esteem
Based on mutual understanding and esteem
Relationship Impact
Can create imbalanced dynamics
Fosters healthy, balanced relationships
Action Required
Acting in accordance with others
Appreciating and supporting others' choices
Outcome
Can lead to dominance by one party
Encourages equality and mutual consideration
Compare with Definitions
Submissive
Often not asserting oneself in relationships or settings to avoid conflict.
She was submissive in her approach, always letting her colleagues decide.
Respect
Acts as a foundation for effective communication and understanding.
Their respect for each other's viewpoints facilitated a successful negotiation.
Submissive
Can relate to behaviors where one's own preferences are consistently sidelined.
Submissive behavior in the classroom prevented her from expressing her true opinions.
Respect
A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
She earned the respect of her peers through her unwavering integrity and hard work.
Submissive
Ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive.
In the meeting, he was submissive, rarely contradicting his manager’s ideas.
Respect
Involves acknowledging someone else's rights, feelings, and traditions.
He showed great respect for other cultures, always learning about local customs before visiting.
Submissive
Characterized by a tendency to yield to others as a way to maintain harmony.
His submissive nature made him a preferred team member during disputes.
Respect
Demonstrates a recognition of the inherent worth and autonomy of others.
They treated everyone with respect, ensuring that all voices were heard and valued.
Submissive
Sometimes viewed negatively, especially when it leads to self-neglect or exploitation.
His submissive attitude at work led to others taking credit for his efforts.
Respect
Essential for healthy interpersonal relations and professional conduct.
Mutual respect in the team fostered a collaborative and innovative working environment.
Submissive
Inclined or willing to submit.
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.
Submissive
Obedient or passive.
Respect
A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem
I have great respect for your work.
Submissive
(BDSM) One who submits to a dominant partner in BDSM practices.
Respect
The state of being regarded with honor or esteem
A leader held in the greatest respect.
Submissive
(rare) One who submits.
Respect
Consideration or appreciation
Can't you at least give me some respect?.
Submissive
Inclined or ready to submit; acknowledging one's inferiority; yielding; obedient; humble.
Not at his feet submissive in distress,Creature so fair his reconcilement seeking.
Respect
Due regard for something considered important or authoritative
Respect for the law.
Submissive
Showing a readiness to submit; expressing submission; as, a submissive demeanor.
With a submissive step I hasted down.
Respect
A particular aspect, feature, or detail
In many respects this is an important decision.
Submissive
Inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination;
Submissive servants
A submissive reply
Replacing troublemakers with more submissive people
Respect
Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.
Submissive
Willing to submit without resistance to authority; deferent
Respect
To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or admire
All the other scholars respect her.
Submissive
Abjectly submissive; characteristic of a slave or servant;
Slavish devotion to her job ruled her life
A slavish yes-man to the party bosses
She has become submissive and subservient
Respect
To avoid interfering with or intruding upon
Please respect my privacy.
Respect
To avoid violating
I respected the speed limit throughout the trip.
Respect
To relate or refer to; concern
As respects the rights of land owners, this law says nothing.
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.
Respect
(uncountable) good opinion, honor, or admiration
Respect
(countable) a particular aspect, feature or detail of something
This year's model is superior to last year's in several respects.
Respect
Good will; favor
Respect
To have respect for.
She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.
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.
Respect
To abide by an agreement.
They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.
Respect
To take notice of; to regard as worthy of special consideration; to heed.
Respect
To relate to; to be concerned with.
Respect
(obsolete) To regard; to consider; to deem.
Respect
(obsolete) To look toward; to face.
Respect
(Jamaica) hello, hi
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 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!
Common Curiosities
Why is respect important in society?
Respect is crucial as it underpins ethical behavior and social harmony, fostering environments where diverse individuals can coexist and thrive.
How does submissiveness affect personal relationships?
Submissiveness can sometimes create imbalanced relationships where one party may feel dominated or unheard.
What is the difference between being submissive and respectful?
Being submissive involves yielding to others often without asserting one’s own needs, while being respectful involves valuing and acknowledging others' qualities and rights without necessarily yielding authority.
Can one be submissive and respectful at the same time?
Yes, one can be submissive in terms of deferring to authority in certain situations while also holding respect for that authority or others involved.
How can one cultivate respect in a community?
By educating on and promoting values of equality, recognition of rights, and appreciation for diversity.
What role does respect play in leadership?
In leadership, respect helps build trust and loyalty, essential for effective team management and leadership success.
Is submissiveness always a negative trait?
Not necessarily; it can be appropriate in certain contexts where deference to authority is necessary or strategic.
What are the signs of respect in a professional setting?
Signs include listening to others, valuing diverse opinions, and adhering to ethical standards that honor all participants.
How does one deal with a lack of respect in interactions?
Addressing the behavior directly, setting clear boundaries, and if necessary, seeking mediation or professional advice can be effective strategies.
Can respect be demanded?
Respect is most effective when earned through behavior that others find admirable or ethical, rather than demanded.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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.
