Honor vs. Respect

Main Difference

The difference between Respect and Honor is that Honor is a higher value of esteem of someone based on social appraisal and degree, notable works in society whereas, Respect is a feeling of valuing, admiring, and importance for someone or something based on their skills, character, and achievements.

Honor vs. Respect — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Honor and Respect

Honor vs. Respect

Honor has a higher level as compared to respect, which is lower than honor.

Honor vs. Respect

Every person who is honored is already respectable. Conversely, every person we respect is not always honored.

Honor vs. Respect

Honor is an objective perception based on social status. On the flip side, respect depends on personal thoughts and principles. Therefore it is a subjective perception for others.

Honor vs. Respect

Regarding the degree of expressiveness, honor is a stronger word than respect.

Honor vs. Respect

The use of honor is formal. However, respect is more informal.

Honor vs. Respect

A position is the essence of honor, while attention is an essence of respect.

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Honor vs. Respect

Honor can also be used as a transitive verb, whereas respect as an intransitive verb.

Honornoun

(uncountable) recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration of someone, usually for being morally upright and/or competent

The crowds gave the returning general much honor and praise.

Respectnoun

(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.

Honornoun

(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.

Respectnoun

(uncountable) good opinion, honor, or admiration

Honornoun

(countable) a token of praise or respect; something that represents praiseworthiness or respect, such as a prize or award given by the state to a citizen

Honors are normally awarded twice a year: on The Queen's Birthday in June and at the New Year.He wore an honor on his breast.military honors; civil honorsAudie Murphy received many honors, such as the Distinguished Service Cross.
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Respectnoun

Polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death.

The mourners paid their last respects to the deceased poet.

Honornoun

a privilege

I had the honour of dining with the ambassador.

Respectnoun

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

This year's model is superior to last year's in several respects.

Honornoun

(in the plural) the privilege of going first

I'll let you have the honours, Bob—go ahead.

Respectnoun

Good will; favor

Honornoun

(golf) the right to play one's ball before one's opponent.

Respectverb

To have respect for.

She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.

Honornoun

a cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament.

He is an honour to his nation.

Respectverb

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.

Honornoun

(feudal law) a seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended

Respectverb

To abide by an agreement.

They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.

Honornoun

the center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon honour point}}

Respectverb

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

Honornoun

In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit. In some other games, an ace, king, queen or jack.

Respectverb

To relate to; to be concerned with.

Honornoun

(in the plural) (courses for) an honours degree: a university qualification of the highest rank

At university I took honours in modern history.

Respectverb

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

Honorverb

(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.

Respectverb

(obsolete) To look toward; to face.

Honorverb

(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

Respectinterjection

(Jamaica) hello, hi

Honorverb

(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.

Respectnoun

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

it differs in that respect

Honorverb

(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.

Respectnoun

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

it is held in esteema man who has earned high regard

Honornoun

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction;

an award for bravery

Respectnoun

an attitude of admiration or esteem;

she lost all respect for him

Honornoun

the state of being honored

Respectnoun

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

his deference to her wishes was very flatteringbe sure to give my respects to the dean

Honornoun

the quality of being honorable and having a good name;

a man of honor

Respectnoun

behavior intended to please your parents;

their children were never very strong on obediencehe went to law school out of respect for his father's wishes

Honornoun

a woman's virtue or chastity

Respectnoun

a feeling of friendship and esteem;

she mistook his manly regard for lovehe inspires respect

Honorverb

bestow honor or rewards upon;

Today we honor our soldiersThe scout was rewarded for courageus action

Respectnoun

courteous regard for people's feelings;

in deference to your wishesout of respect for his privacy

Honorverb

show respect towards;

honor your parents!

Respectverb

regard highly; think much of;

I respect his judgementWe prize his creativity

Honorverb

accept as pay;

we honor checks and drafts

Respectverb

show respect towards;

honor your parents!

Comparison Chart

HonorRespect
It is a higher level of respect, including reputation, privilege, and recognition of a person.It is a feeling of valuing, admiring, and consideration for someone and something.
Superiority
HigherLower
Formality
FormalInformal
Verb
Transitive verbIntransitive verb
Basis
Social status of a person.The character of a person.
Perception
Objective perceptionSubjective perception

Honor vs. Respect

Honor has a higher level as compared to respect. Every person who honored is already respectable, whereas every person we respect not always honored necessarily. Honor is an objective perception based on social status, while respect depends on personal thoughts and principles. Therefore it is a subjective perception for others while.

Regarding the degree of expressiveness, honor, honor is a stronger word than respect. Honor is more formal, while the use of respect is informal. A position is the essence of honor, whereas attention is an essence of respect.

Honor can also be used as a transitive verb, whereas respect as an intransitive verb. Honor can also be in a way to represent a good status and a high degree of moral behavior such as ‘The soldier showed honor in his duty.’ Respect can also be in the way of considering or thinking about a person or thing such as ‘We felt respect for the army’s spirit.’ Honor is also used as a verb to treat someone with respect but in a formal public occasion. i.e., ‘Chief of army honored the martyr in the ceremony.’ Respect is also used as a verb to show regard for a person or thing. i.e., ‘I respect every religion.’

What is Honor?

It is a higher level of respect, including reputation, privilege, and recognition of a person. Honor refers more to the evaluation of someone’s public esteem, social status, and profession. A person’s accomplishments, remarkable works, and performance, which are plausible in society, are the basis of honor. It is the assessment of a person characterized by social admiration other than much by the character, personality, and subjective perception about that person. It can also be explained by the possession of supremacy, which is not easily obtained by other people, similarly to the authority of political personalities.

An honored person expected to have a great position, ideal character, and behavior with high moral values. The use of honor is more formally. .i.e., “It will be an honor to receive a badge from commando.” The honored individual is always highly valued by family, public, school, nation, and army unit. In a sentence, for example: “It was my honor to get a chance to meet the Mayor of the city” Here, Mayor who is a highly esteemed person of authority deserves higher respect because of his deeds.

Examples

  • My family showed an army honor.
  • They expressed honor in the leader’s conduct.
  • The chief of the army honored the martyred captain during the event.
  • The teachers invited the honored chief guests.
  • They organize the event in honor of the late poet.
  • Mother Terresa was a lady of honor.

What is Respect?

Respect is a feeling of valuing, admiring, and importance for a person or thing based on their skills, character, and achievements. Respect can be divided into two types; respect that is for ‘people,’ which includes the consideration a person deserves, and respect that is for ‘things’ includes showing actual deference towards possessions of people. We can also provide respect to an ideal, group, nation, actions, society, religion, and particular behaviors. A person can also show respect for his practices, customs, and cultures.

Respect is a subjective perception. Therefore respect is a degree of moral value to someone admirable regarding personal perspective, beliefs, and principles. So possibly there may be a case that a person might not respect another person who doesn’t live up to his thoughts and principles. Respect is about assessing someone’s attributes, which is admirable and depicts its personality. Respect is not only always given to a person but also received and earned through actions and manners.

Examples

  • The student had respect for the way the teacher counseled.
  • We felt respect for the army’s spirit.
  • I respect your views.
  • He respects people who do charity.
  • Show some respect to your elders.
  • Her mother respects her decision to leave showbiz.
  • The doctor is a highly respected person in the orthopedic department.
  • The leaders saluted the tomb as a sign of respect.
  • The child always respects his teachers and parents.
  • In the assembly, we should respect the speaker.
Conclusion

Both honor and respect mean to show regard or esteem. Still, honor is a higher level of respect given to something or someone based on social status, reputation, and notable works in the society, whereas respect is the subjective perception based on the abilities and character of a person or belongings.