defer to
phrasal verb
deferred to; deferring to; defers to
1
: to allow (someone else) to decide or choose something
You have more experience with this, so I'm going to defer to you.
deferring to the experts
2
defer to (something)
: to agree to follow (someone else's decision, a tradition, etc.)
The court defers to precedent in cases like these.
He deferred to his parents' wishes.
Examples of defer to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump defers to Department of Justice on Abrego Garcia case Luigi Mangione indicted on federal charges in 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Will Menendez brothers go free?
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Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
No one defers to the citizens of a country whose government and promises can't be trusted.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
In practical terms, the next time a South Asian country faces challenges, the United States would defer to India’s judgment on what might serve regional stability or counter China’s influence rather than seek to advance its own preferences.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2025
Rookie snipers always seem to defer to older players, turning up shots and forcing passes.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defer to
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Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
No one defers to the citizens of a country whose government and promises can't be trusted.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
In practical terms, the next time a South Asian country faces challenges, the United States would defer to India’s judgment on what might serve regional stability or counter China’s influence rather than seek to advance its own preferences.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2025
Rookie snipers always seem to defer to older players, turning up shots and forcing passes.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defer to
Cite this Entry
“Defer to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defer%20to. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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