as in respectful
marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status
though he's already attained star status, the rookie remains deferent to the team's veteran players
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Recent Examples of deferent
And many advocates are promoting a vision of public health that’s less dependent on mandates and appeals to authority, and more deferent to individuals’ beliefs.
—
ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2025
The Ptolemaic model depicted planets moving around Earth in a big circle, known as a deferent, then going around a smaller circle while retrograding, called an epicycle.
—Carlie Procell, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024
The Ptolemaic model depicted planets moving around Earth in a big circle, known as a deferent, then going around a smaller circle while retrograding, called an epicycle.
—Carlie Procell, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2023
Curiously, the Biden administration sees it this way, too, but still takes a stance deferent to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s fierce advocacy for it and opposition to U.S. sanctions that would target European companies and individuals involved in its construction.
—Jimmy Quinn, National Review, 20 July 2021
The men were expected to be compliant, deferent to the CEO, resilient and tough.
—Kirsten Garbini, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2021
ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2025
The Ptolemaic model depicted planets moving around Earth in a big circle, known as a deferent, then going around a smaller circle while retrograding, called an epicycle.
—Carlie Procell, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024
The Ptolemaic model depicted planets moving around Earth in a big circle, known as a deferent, then going around a smaller circle while retrograding, called an epicycle.
—Carlie Procell, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2023
Curiously, the Biden administration sees it this way, too, but still takes a stance deferent to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s fierce advocacy for it and opposition to U.S. sanctions that would target European companies and individuals involved in its construction.
—Jimmy Quinn, National Review, 20 July 2021
The men were expected to be compliant, deferent to the CEO, resilient and tough.
—Kirsten Garbini, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deferent
respectful
Adjective
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Shields appeared on Million Dollaz Worth Of Game and initially tried to be respectful.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Although there are many pop culture elements of this movie that may feel universal—the teens going absolutely bananas for their favorite pop stars, for instance—the clothing and some elements of the plot, including those which reference mythology, are respectful nods to Korean culture.—
Miranda Rake,
Parents,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deferent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deferent. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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