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
Newsom’s deferential tone toward far-right guests like Charlie Kirk and Michael Savage—including agreeing with Kirk’s stance on banning transgender athletes from women’s sports—has alienated progressive allies and LGBTQ+ advocates, undermining his reputation as a champion of LGBTQ+ rights[1][7][9].
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Veterans groups, however, complained that the new court was too deferential to the VA when reviewing the agency’s decisions.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
The Red Sox have long taken an almost deferential approach to Devers, but Tuesday, one day before the Bregman deal was complete, Breslow offered a more assertive tone.
—Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Pinnacle members receive a gold pin, and a few wear it on the ship as a badge of honor and expect deferential treatment from both passengers and crew.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Veterans groups, however, complained that the new court was too deferential to the VA when reviewing the agency’s decisions.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
The Red Sox have long taken an almost deferential approach to Devers, but Tuesday, one day before the Bregman deal was complete, Breslow offered a more assertive tone.
—Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Pinnacle members receive a gold pin, and a few wear it on the ship as a badge of honor and expect deferential treatment from both passengers and crew.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deferential
Adjective
-
Jihan, 30, who worked in a farm supply store, had found those forces professional and respectful.—
Christina Goldbaum,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
When Black women have access to respectful, quality care before, during, and after pregnancy, their families and communities thrive.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deferential. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share