respective
adjective
re·spec·tive
ri-ˈspek-tiv 
1
: particular, separate
their respective homes
2
obsolete
: partial, discriminative
respectiveness
noun
Examples of respective in a Sentence
it was late when the concert let out, so we all went our respective ways
Recent Examples on the Web
Testers wore their respective pairs for at least two hours each day (not including the break-in period, which was considered a separate part of the test).
—
Olivia Avitt, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Both bills have been voted out of their respective chambers and are moving into conference committee, where another round of changes can be made before a final vote — which must occur before May 3, the end of the state’s legislative session.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Having the siblings at their respective posts could create a conflict of interest, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal matters.
—Bloomberg, Fortune Asia, 11 Apr. 2024
Before the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, the Bay Area and South Bay office markets were humming due to the robust appetites of tech companies for office spaces and properties to accommodate their respective expansions.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
Many of these hotels have also been voted into their respective categories in the World’s Best Awards by T+L readers.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
Points will be awarded based on the accuracy of each participant’s respective predictions.
—Billboard Staff, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
Hepburn and Grant play to their respective strengths, while the film transitions from silly to serious and back again.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
One of the great side effects of a setup like this is the chance to highlight cover songs more than a band might otherwise dare to, since their respective audiences are already primed not to be getting anything like a standard greatest-hits-plus-new-songs show.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2024
Olivia Avitt, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Both bills have been voted out of their respective chambers and are moving into conference committee, where another round of changes can be made before a final vote — which must occur before May 3, the end of the state’s legislative session.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Having the siblings at their respective posts could create a conflict of interest, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal matters.
—Bloomberg, Fortune Asia, 11 Apr. 2024
Before the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, the Bay Area and South Bay office markets were humming due to the robust appetites of tech companies for office spaces and properties to accommodate their respective expansions.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
Many of these hotels have also been voted into their respective categories in the World’s Best Awards by T+L readers.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
Points will be awarded based on the accuracy of each participant’s respective predictions.
—Billboard Staff, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
Hepburn and Grant play to their respective strengths, while the film transitions from silly to serious and back again.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
One of the great side effects of a setup like this is the chance to highlight cover songs more than a band might otherwise dare to, since their respective audiences are already primed not to be getting anything like a standard greatest-hits-plus-new-songs show.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'respective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near respective
Cite this Entry
“Respective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respective. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
respective
adjective
re·spec·tive
ri-ˈspek-tiv
: not the same or shared : separate
they hurried to their respective homes
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