grudging respect

USAGE SUMMARY

'grudging respect' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to admiration or appreciation that is begrudgingly given or felt, usually due to someone earning it in some way. For example, "Even though I didn't agree with his opinion, I had to give him grudging respect for standing up for what he believed in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He gives her a grudging respect.

The New York Times

They earn grudging respect from defenses.

The New York Times - Sports

"Even the oligarchs had a grudging respect for him".

The New York Times

Others felt grudging respect for her immense willpower.

Independent

But the Hollywood establishment showed her only grudging respect.

Independent

That message has won her grudging respect in banking circles.

The New York Times

But grudging respect is one thing, humility another.

The New York Times

But even his detractors concede him a grudging respect.

The New York Times - Books

American intelligence officials describe their Chinese counterparts with grudging respect.

The New Yorker

All of this has earned Mr. Heymann a grudging respect.

The New York Times - Arts

It's more a mix of jovial nosiness and grudging respect.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grudging respect" to convey a sense of admiration that is not freely given, often earned through overcoming challenges or demonstrating unexpected qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "grudging respect" when the situation calls for expressing pure dislike or contempt. The phrase still implies a degree of admiration or recognition, even if reluctantly given.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grudging respect" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb (e.g., 'earn', 'give', 'have'). It conveys a complex emotion involving admiration mixed with reluctance or reservation. Ludwig examples illustrate this function clearly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Grudging respect is a frequently used phrase that expresses admiration mixed with reluctance, commonly found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for expressing nuanced acknowledgment. When using this phrase, ensure that you are conveying both the element of respect and the underlying reservations. While alternatives like "reluctant admiration" or "qualified respect" exist, "grudging respect" offers a specific emphasis on the hesitance in giving that respect, often due to conflicting feelings or circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reluctant admiration

Emphasizes the hesitation or unwillingness in feeling admiration.

begrudging admiration

Highlights the act of giving admiration despite one's reservations.

qualified respect

Suggests that the respect is not absolute but comes with conditions or limitations.

reserved admiration

Indicates a restrained or cautious expression of admiration.

reluctant acknowledgement

Focuses on conceding something positive about someone, even if unwillingly.

begrudging acceptance

Highlights accepting something positive about someone, even if unwillingly.

hesitant appreciation

Indicates a delayed or uncertain sense of appreciation.

guarded esteem

Suggests a careful or protected form of high regard.

grudging approval

Focuses on the act of granting approval despite internal reservations.

hesitant respect

Indicates a delayed or uncertain feeling of respect.

FAQs

How can I use "grudging respect" in a sentence?

You can use "grudging respect" to show admiration that is not freely given, for example: "Even though I disagreed with their methods, I had to give them "grudging respect" for their dedication."

What can I say instead of "grudging respect"?

You can use alternatives like "reluctant admiration", "begrudging admiration", or "qualified respect" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "grudging respect" in formal writing?

Yes, "grudging respect" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to express nuanced admiration that is not straightforward. However, be mindful of the audience and the overall tone of your piece.

What's the difference between "grudging respect" and "grudging admiration"?

While similar, "grudging respect" emphasizes recognition of someone's qualities or achievements despite reservations, whereas "grudging admiration" focuses more on experiencing a feeling of awe or approval despite initial reluctance. They are very similar and can be used interchangeably in most contexts.