deferential
deferential
adjectiveDefinition of DEFERENTIAL
marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status <the man had the deferential attitude of someone who had been a servant his entire life>
Related Words reverent, reverential, venerating, worshipful; fawning, genuflecting, groveling (or grovelling), hagiographic (or hagiographical), kowtowing, obsequious, servile, subservient, sycophantic, toadying; civil, courteous, gracious, polite; kid-glove, kid-gloved
Near Antonyms abusive, insulting, offensive; belittling, demeaning, depreciative, depreciatory, derogatory, disparaging; contemptuous, impudent, irreverent, scornful; discourteous, insolent, rude, uncivil
Antonyms disrespectful, undutiful
Learn More About
Ask The Editor Videos
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up deferential? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
