deferential

adjective

def·​er·​en·​tial ˌde-fə-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce deferential (audio)
: 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
deferentially adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While the women may be skittish around Karen and try not to disturb the deferential hierarchy, there is no such grace being offered to Ashley or Mia, who have been the main ones to go up against the newbies time and again. Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024 The most important consequence of Alston was the Court clarifying the NCAA is not owed a deferential standard of review on antitrust claims, which the NCAA had invoked since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in NCAA v. Board of Regents (1984). Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Sep. 2024 Wilken has rejected the NCAA’s portrayal of amateurism as inherently different and special, and thus more deserving of deferential antitrust treatment, than other businesses. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2024 Brenna is hip and intrusive, while Muir is deferential to a fault. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for deferential 

Word History

Etymology

defer(ence) + -ential, by analogy with other Latin-derived words where the suffixes -ence and -ential imply one another (as prudence, prudential)

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deferential was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near deferential

Cite this Entry

“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deferential. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

deferential

adjective
def·​er·​en·​tial ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce deferential (audio)
: showing or expressing deference
deferentially adverb

Medical Definition

deferential

adjective
def·​er·​en·​tial ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce deferential (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on deferential

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