Synonyms of deference

deference

noun

ˈde-fə-rən(t)s 

as in obedience

a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others

the sycophantic deference with which the hotel treats celebrity guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obedience
• acquiescence
• submissiveness
• docility
• assent
• compliancy
• compliance
• humoring
• subservience
• complaisance
• obsequiousness
• biddability
• receptivity
• servility
• subserviency
• receptiveness
• acceptance
• slavishness
• consent
• amenability
• amiability
• conformity
• surrender
• friendliness
• cordiality
• indulgence
• cooperativeness
• geniality
• capitulation
• submission
• sociability
• affability
• amicability
• good-naturedness
• congeniality

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defiance
• disobedience
• hostility
• animosity
• recalcitrance
• enmity
• antipathy
• intractability
• ill will

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun deference differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deference are homage, honor, and reverence. While all these words mean "respect and esteem shown to another," deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence.

showed no deference to their elders

In what contexts can homage take the place of deference?

The words homage and deference can be used in similar contexts, but homage adds the implication of accompanying praise.

paying homage to Shakespeare

When is honor a more appropriate choice than deference?

The words honor and deference are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition.

the nomination is an honor

When might reverence be a better fit than deference?

The synonyms reverence and deference are sometimes interchangeable, but reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe.

great reverence for my father

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deference

By directly noting the deference owed to the Executive Branch, this ruling once again illustrates that activist judges do not have the jurisdiction to seize control of the President's authority to conduct foreign policy. —Laura Romero, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025

The question remains how the UC system, or Stanford, will react — with deference to preserve millions in federal funding and grants, or with defiance and likely risk a major blow to their bottom line? —Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025

When scientists criticized the preliminary findings of a joint study by the WHO and China on the origins of COVID-19, Tedros departed from the WHO’s typical deference to China. —Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025

After making a show of deference to Donald Trump in the wake of deadly Los Angeles County wildfires earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom appears to be back to challenging the federal government on climate change policies. —Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025

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