deference

noun

def·​er·​ence ˈde-fə-rən(t)s How to pronounce deference (audio)
ˈdef-rən(t)s
: respect and esteem due a superior or an elder
also : affected or ingratiating regard for another's wishes
Phrases
in deference to
: in consideration of
returned early in deference to her parents' wishes

Did you know?

We need to be specific when we tell you that deference and defer both derive from the Medieval Latin dēferre, which means "to convey, show respect, submit to a decision," because there are two defers in the English language. The defer related to deference is typically used with to in contexts having to do either with allowing someone else to decide or choose something, as in "I'll defer to the experts," or with agreeing to follow someone else's decision, wish, etc., as when a court defers to precedent. The other defer traces to the Latin differre, meaning "to carry away in varying directions, spread abroad, postpone, delay, be unlike or distinct." That defer is typically used in contexts having to do with delaying or postponing something, as in "a willingness to defer the decision until next month."

Choose the Right Synonym for deference

honor, homage, reverence, deference mean respect and esteem shown to another.

honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition.

the nomination is an honor

homage adds the implication of accompanying praise.

paying homage to Shakespeare

reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe.

great reverence for my father

deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence.

showed no deference to their elders

Examples of deference in a Sentence

Deference to leaders and intolerance toward outsiders (and toward "enemies within") are hallmarks of tribalism … Benjamin R. Barber, Atlantic, March 1992
In the 1980s, in deference to the neighborhoods, City Hall would attempt a counter-reformation of downtown, forbidding "Manhattanization." Richard Rodriguez, Harper's, October 1990
She could have subtly appealed to the deference … she knew was still in there, encoded in their middle-aged hearts; she never did. Peggy Noonan, New York Times Magazine, 16 Dec. 1990
A sense of deference to the upper class among whites made it possible, in Sproat's estimation, for white leaders to contain the white supremacists. Robert L. Harris, Jr., American Historical Review, December 1987
Her relatives treat one another with deference. He is shown much deference by his colleagues.
Recent Examples on the Web In January, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a painting that was looted from a Jewish family during the Nazi era should remain in the collection of Madrid’s Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in deference to Spanish law. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 When Boeing faced similarly protracted regulatory reviews before, some of Calhoun’s predecessors of were ill-advised to hide behind exceedingly vague, impersonal legalese in deference to regulators and investigators–which did not end well. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2024 Cy was declarer at today’s 3NT, and West led the jack of hearts in deference to East’s overcall. Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2024 The American invasion of Iraq shows that no such coercion is necessary; bureaucratic deference to authority and routine careerism can keep people in line just fine. Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Mariko, the wife of a brutish warrior (Shinnosuke Abe) and the daughter of a dishonored family, feels called to suicide but forces herself to keep living in deference to her Catholic beliefs and out of loyalty to Toranaga. TIME, 7 Feb. 2024 Facilitating the deception was a deference to the office of the president among the media that is unimaginable today. Thomas Doherty, The Conversation, 1 Feb. 2024 Following Frey's death in 2016, the Eagles' shows have had a touch of melancholy, a deference to their late brother. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2024 The author’s deference reaches a point where his own work becomes more historiography than history. Thomas Mallon, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deference.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French déférence, going back to Middle French deference "act of submitting," from deferer "to submit to another, defer entry 2" + -ence -ence

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deference was in 1660

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near deference

Cite this Entry

“Deference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deference. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deference

noun
def·​er·​ence ˈdef-(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce deference (audio)
: courteous, respectful, or flattering regard for another's wishes

More from Merriam-Webster on deference

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!