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
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Recent Examples of deferential
Courts have generally been deferential to how presidents use the authority as long as the proper process has been followed.
—
Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
The Meloni-like cherub is shown in a deferential pose toward the king.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
In context of all the hilariously bitchy and awkwardly deferential comments Mustaine has made about Metallica in recent years, this choice of a bonus track initially struck me as a desperate troll.
—Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Small in scale, devoid of ostentation, and otherwise deferential to Carmel’s forest character—Dyar Architecture’s Carmelo connects the dots between Carmel-by-the-Sea’s architectural past and present.
—Richard Olsen, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
The Meloni-like cherub is shown in a deferential pose toward the king.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
In context of all the hilariously bitchy and awkwardly deferential comments Mustaine has made about Metallica in recent years, this choice of a bonus track initially struck me as a desperate troll.
—Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Small in scale, devoid of ostentation, and otherwise deferential to Carmel’s forest character—Dyar Architecture’s Carmelo connects the dots between Carmel-by-the-Sea’s architectural past and present.
—Richard Olsen, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deferential
Adjective
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Draft an important note, then revisit instructions, while keeping your tone respectful and firm.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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Doing so also models for your kids how to manage difficult relationships in a respectful way.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
15 Mar. 2026
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 Feb. 2026
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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,
ArsTechnica,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deferential. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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