as in respectful
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 & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deferential
There were Hmong women with a certain style that never hit the pop culture radar: Tough, streetwise, cocksure and confident, deeply devoted to their families, friends and culture, but not the least bit demure or deferential.
—
Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 2 June 2025
Although congressional Republicans have remained deferential to Trump, their patience appears to be wearing thin.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 4 June 2025
Some see Jeffries and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer as too deferential to established norms or too reluctant to use procedural powers to slow down Trump’s agenda.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025
There's an attitude that the national security and defense community has to be sensitive and deferential to Elon Musk because of his role in the government.
—Mike Stone and Marisa Taylor, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 2 June 2025
Although congressional Republicans have remained deferential to Trump, their patience appears to be wearing thin.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 4 June 2025
Some see Jeffries and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer as too deferential to established norms or too reluctant to use procedural powers to slow down Trump’s agenda.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025
There's an attitude that the national security and defense community has to be sensitive and deferential to Elon Musk because of his role in the government.
—Mike Stone and Marisa Taylor, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deferential
Adjective
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The church continues to serve as a pilgrimage site, and officials plan to keep the process respectful and collaborative, welcoming input from Catholics, Anglicans, and the international community.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
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After protracted and respectful… — Tony Buzbee (@TonyBuzbee2) July 18, 2025 A dismissal with prejudice means Sharpe’s accuser cannot refile the same claim against him in the same Las Vegas court.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deferential. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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