deferential

adjective

def·er·en·tial | \ˌde-fə-ˈren-chəl

Definition of deferential

: showing or expressing respect and high regard due a superior or an elder : showing or expressing deference listened with deferential attention to his grandfather deferential to the judge's decision

Other Words from deferential Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about deferential

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Synonyms & Antonyms for deferential

Synonyms

deferent, dutiful, regardful, respectful

Antonyms

disrespectful, undutiful

Examples of deferential in a Sentence

the man had the deferential attitude of someone who had been a servant his entire life

Recent Examples on the Web

But in another letter, sent on the day of Jefferson’s inauguration, Marshall expressed less deferential sentiments. — Adam J. White, WSJ, "‘John Marshall’ Review: Chief Among Equals," 30 Nov. 2018 With some exceptions, presidents generally are deferential to their predecessors and loathe to attack them or even to draw unkind comparisons. — Philip Rucker, Washington Post, "Trump’s ‘tougher on Russia’ claim fits a pattern of striving to one-up Obama," 20 Feb. 2018 In the run of cases, the Court’s decisions would likely be far more deferential to the democratic process and far more tightly linked to precedent. — Daniel Epps, Vox, "A simple plan for saving the Supreme Court," 6 Sep. 2018 In the House, where Dorsey appeared alone to answer more than four hours’ worth of lawmakers’ questions, the tone was often sharper — but members of Congress were ultimately just as deferential. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "Congress is getting better at questioning social media executives," 6 Sep. 2018 The performance by Republicans, echoing Mr. Trump’s own lines of attack, demonstrated just how far many in the party have moved since the days when they were seen as the party of law enforcement, deferential to its power and prerogatives. — Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, "F.B.I. Agent Defends Actions in Russia Inquiry in Contentious House Testimony," 12 July 2018 While Trump sought to portray the meeting in Singapore as a personal victory, typically deferential Republican allies declined to second that narrative. — Eli Stokols, latimes.com, "Republicans remain skeptical despite Trump's boasts of breakthrough with North Korea's Kim," 12 June 2018 And uncles and cousins have told him of the importance of being respectful, even deferential, to police. — Cleve R. Wootson Jr., chicagotribune.com, "'First day of paper route and we are pulled over by police:' The latest in #LivingWhileBlack," 11 July 2018 And the public is already inclined to believe that Republicans are too deferential to polluters. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "The EPA Is Hiding Proof That a Widely Used Chemical Causes Leukemia: Report," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deferential.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.