deferential

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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

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deferentially

play \-ˈren-chə-lē\ adverb

See deferential defined for kids

Examples of deferential in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of deferential from the Web

And after those Establishments finally pushed Steve Bannon out of the White House — and more troops into Afghanistan — there was reason to think that Trump would remain deferential to them, in perpetuity.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump May Be More Dangerous Than His Handlers Realized," 28 Aug. 2017
The use of replay—which began in 2008 with home run calls and has been expanded several times since—has made players less deferential toward umpires.

— michael rosenberg, SI.com, "The Last Cowboy: Joe West Is On A Quest To Preserve The Sanctity Of Umpiring," 20 July 2017
But Pence had been largely deferential to Kasich, complimenting the governor at campaign events in Ohio and consulting him on proposals to overhaul Obamacare.

— jessie balmert, Cincinnati.com, "VP Pence's false attack on Kasich continues Trump feud," 17 July 2017
Many were schooled under strict Soviet regimes and are still deferential towards teachers.

— The Economist, "Poles apartWhy central and eastern European children lag behind in British schools," 13 July 2017
But instead of objecting to the question with manufactured ire, Jones was deferential to Tennessee's rival in his response.

— rainer sabin, AL.com, "Why Alabama's dominance is elephant in SEC media room," 12 July 2017
Courts have historically been deferential in this area, and recent presidents have used it to deny entry to certain refugees and diplomats, including from nations such as Iran, Cuba and North Korea.

— bill mears, Fox News, "Gorsuch already making conservative mark on Supreme Court, amid Kennedy rumors," 6 July 2017
Despite this multilevel success, or perhaps because of it, Byrne remains resolutely curious and deferential.

— laura brown, PEOPLE.com, "Rose Byrne on Balancing Her Quiet Life and Big Career," 29 June 2017
And media outlets tend to be far more deferential in reporting on court decisions than when reporting on Congress or the presidency.

— katerina linos, Washington Post, "Controversial Supreme Court decisions change public opinion — in part because the media mostly report on them uncritically," 28 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of deferential

see ²defer

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1822

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deferential Synonyms

Synonyms

deferent, respectful, dutiful, regardful

Antonyms

disrespectful, undutiful

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

Medical Dictionary

deferential

play

adjective def·er·en·tial \ ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl \

medical Definition of deferential

:deferent

Learn More about deferential

See words that rhyme with deferential Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for deferential Spanish Central: Translation of deferential Nglish: Translation of deferential for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of deferential for Arabic speakers

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deferential

Definition of deferential

deferentially

Examples of deferential in a Sentence

Recent Examples of deferential from the Web

Origin and Etymology of deferential

deferential Synonyms

Synonyms

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Medical Dictionary

deferential

medical Definition of deferential

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deferentially

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