self-respect

American  

[self-ri-spekt, self-] / ˈsɛlf rɪˈspɛkt, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. proper esteem or regard for the dignity of one's character.

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self-respect British  

noun

1. a proper sense of one's own dignity and integrity

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Other Word Forms

• self-respectful adjective
• self-respecting adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-respect

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

I know he wouldn’t be comfortable with me doing the same thing, and I have too much self-respect to stand for my boundaries being continually disregarded.

From Washington Post

Tashnuva is sometimes moody, because people can consider my self-esteem or people can consider my self-respect as an ego, but I had to maintain it.

From New York Times

A good many of us, me included, have too much self-respect, and therefore no interest, in being "the best black friend."

From Salon

But though the sophomore season also resulted in two marriages, Lee and Vempati emerged as fan favorites, showing that self-respect can be the better happily ever after.

From Los Angeles Times

“For them, Danny was an object, and that can happen only if you don’t have your own self-respect and respect for other human beings.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dignity
• pride
• self-assurance
• self-confidence
• self-esteem
• self-worth