undue respect

USAGE SUMMARY

"undue respect" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means to give someone or something more respect or attention than is necessary or deserved. Example: She was given undue respect for her work on the project despite her lack of effort.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The former are accorded undue respect because of their wealth, the latter because of the positions they hold.

The New Yorker

Brentano always emphasized that he meant to teach his students to think critically and in a scientific manner, without holding prejudices and paying undue respect to philosophical schools or traditions.

SEP

For while the classical sensibility that Dr Johnson represented involved an, at times, undue respect for the authority of sense, the coming Romantic sensibility that Wilkes heralded involved, above all, a hypersensitivity to the accidents of sensation.

BBC

On same-sex marriage, Cho said ""I think there's an alarming amount of undue respect that is given to people's religious beliefs when it comes to gay marriage.

Huffington Post

Then the world wide white gay net reassures you, Sierra, about how seriously they take the problem of structural inequality in terms of race before it points out, with all undue respect, that you marry your completely legitimate overarching point with a cavalcade of homophobic myths about how the closet works and tired anti-queer sentiments that, you know, aren't cool.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The play "imagined" several of the meetings held weekly between the queen and those prime ministers not in chronological order, and not in any mood of undue deference or respect and streamed them through an almost Shakespearean prism of the monarch at work, growing up, and under pressure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This brought him to what was one of the great complaints of the noble marquis - namely, that undue influence had been employed with respect to the bill before the house of commons; that use had been made of the sacred name, which he agreed ought never to be introduced for the purpose of influencing the votes of members.

The Guardian

Thus rules respecting deceit, fraud, and undue influence are designed to ensure that contractual obligations are assumed freely and without one party misleading the other.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A statement by Mrs Arafat's lawyers in Paris welcomed the decision by the court and said they would make no further comment to allow investigators to be able to pursue their inquiry with respect for secret information and without undue interference.

BBC

On Wednesday, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond called on Russia to "state without undue delay the items they intend to supply" and respect the neutrality of the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRCC).

BBC

"Under the current circumstances where our state needs a strong voice in Washington on so many different issues," Mr. Quinn said, "I don't think it's in the public interest or the common good to have a U.S. senator who has to spend an undue amount of time going over and over matters with respect to how he obtained the office".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undue respect" to critique situations where authority or status leads to uncritical acceptance of ideas or actions.

Common error

Instead of simply stating someone receives "undue respect", specify why the respect is unwarranted. Provide concrete examples of how this excessive deference manifests and its negative consequences. This makes your critique more persuasive and actionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue respect" functions as a noun modifier describing the type of respect being given. It serves to qualify the noun 'respect', indicating that it is excessive or unwarranted. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests giving someone or something more respect than necessary.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undue respect" is used to express that someone or something is given more deference or admiration than is deserved, as stated by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and functions as a noun modifier, often serving a critical purpose. While relatively rare in overall usage, the phrase appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts. When employing "undue respect" in your writing, ensure you clearly articulate why the respect is unwarranted to avoid vague criticism. Alternatives include phrases like "excessive admiration" or "unwarranted deference".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwarranted deference

Highlights the lack of justification for the respect shown.

unmerited praise

Highlights that the praise given is not justified by actual accomplishments or qualities.

excessive admiration

Emphasizes the feeling of admiration more than the outward expression of respect.

excessive honor

Focuses on the outward acts of honoring or celebrating someone or something.

exaggerated regard

Implies the respect is amplified beyond what is reasonable.

inappropriate reverence

Suggests the respect is not only excessive but also unsuitable or misplaced.

undeserved adulation

Points out that the intense admiration is not merited.

overestimation of worth

Focuses on the inflated value or importance attributed to someone or something.

overstated value

Suggests that the true worth is less than what is being presented.

undue importance

Shifts the focus from respect to the excessive significance attached to something.

FAQs

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

You can use "undue respect" to describe situations where someone or something receives more admiration or deference than they deserve. For example, "Billionaires often receive "undue respect" because of their wealth."

What are some alternatives to "undue respect"?

Alternatives include phrases like "excessive admiration", "unwarranted deference", or "inappropriate reverence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to show respect?

No, respect is generally positive. However, "undue respect" implies that the respect is excessive or not deserved, which can lead to problems like uncritical acceptance of flawed ideas or unfair advantages.

What's the difference between "undue respect" and "respect"?

"Respect" is a general term for admiration or deference. "Undue respect" implies that the level of respect is excessive, disproportionate, or not justified by merit or achievement. In essence, it's "excessive regard".