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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deferential
In the 1880s, John appeared destined for poetic glory and Constantine’s deferential posture tacitly accepted this outcome.
—
Gregory Jusdanis, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Yet this week the president was notably deferential to his Israeli counterpart on questions about the future of Gaza.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 11 July 2025
Chief Justice Roberts 'wrong,' courts should be 'deferential' The Trump administration's mass deportation efforts have repeatedly hit legal challenges.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The appeals court applied the most deferential level of review, rational basis, and found that the requirement satisfied it.
—June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Gregory Jusdanis, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Yet this week the president was notably deferential to his Israeli counterpart on questions about the future of Gaza.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 11 July 2025
Chief Justice Roberts 'wrong,' courts should be 'deferential' The Trump administration's mass deportation efforts have repeatedly hit legal challenges.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The appeals court applied the most deferential level of review, rational basis, and found that the requirement satisfied it.
—June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deferential
Adjective
-
And 90% agree that new ways and words are needed to foster respectful dialogue and empathy.—
Brian Castrucci,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The alliance is part of a nationwide movement fostering respectful, cross-partisan dialogue for community members.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deferential. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share