deferential
adjective
def·er·en·tial
ˌde-fə-ˈren-chəl 
: 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
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
Harrell thinks the courts could be deferential to the White House in that respect, but that increasing the duty to 15 percent could invite greater legal scrutiny and make the argument more wobbly.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2026
Beverly, Margot and Elsie were raised to be deferential to their husbands on matters big and small.
—Diane Garrett, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Using drone surveys to map the forest canopy, the team tested how views might shift if certain trees were felled, inching toward a location that felt both deliberate and deferential to the land.
—Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2026
Supreme Court review could provide an intriguing mix of issues for the nine justices, a majority of whom are viewed as business-friendly but also deferential to states’ rights and skeptical of federal agencies.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
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Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2026
Beverly, Margot and Elsie were raised to be deferential to their husbands on matters big and small.
—Diane Garrett, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Using drone surveys to map the forest canopy, the team tested how views might shift if certain trees were felled, inching toward a location that felt both deliberate and deferential to the land.
—Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2026
Supreme Court review could provide an intriguing mix of issues for the nine justices, a majority of whom are viewed as business-friendly but also deferential to states’ rights and skeptical of federal agencies.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Cite this Entry
“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deferential. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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Medical Definition
deferential
adjective
def·er·en·tial
ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl
: deferent
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