Thesaurus

deferential

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of deferential

marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status

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

Synonyms of deferential

deferent, dutiful, regardful, respectful

Words Related to deferential

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 of deferential

abusive, insulting, offensive

belittling, demeaning, depreciative, depreciatory, derogatory, disparaging

contemptuous, impudent, irreverent, scornful

discourteous, insolent, rude, uncivil

Antonyms of deferential

disrespectful, undutiful

Learn More about deferential

See words that rhyme with deferential Dictionary: Definition of deferential Medical Dictionary: Definition of deferential Spanish Central: Translation of deferential Nglish: Translation of deferential for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of deferential for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up deferential? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

obsequious

marked by fawning attentiveness

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games