as in humbly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion
behaved deferentially when approaching someone in authority
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 deferentially
Scorsese shoots them beautifully and deferentially.
—
Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Princess Bride is superbly planned and deferentially orchestrated — its theme fits its telling.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Princess Bride is superbly planned and deferentially orchestrated — its theme fits its telling.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deferentially
Adverb
-
Our journey began humbly in 1983 with high-stakes bingo.—
Cody J Martinez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
When a coalition of figures assembled at a Georgetown University forum, in February, 2023, the former Crown Prince sat humbly in a row of eight, alongside two actresses, a soccer player, and an Iranian Kurdish separatist.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Those absent will include Beatrice and Eugenie of York, who politely declined the Easter invitation of their uncle, King Charles III, in the wake of the arrest of their father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Shortly before launching his solo career in 1972, Thompson politely declined Don Henley and Glenn Frey’s overtures to join what soon became the Eagles.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Outwardly Smart behaved submissively, following her captors’ instructions while always looking for a way to escape.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Are members of Congress really supposed to sit meekly and quietly while the president uses the rostrum of their chamber to abuse and insult them in the ugliest language?—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Kayumi then appeared to sheepishly shrink in his chair.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Liu sheepishly turned and applauded the 17-year-old Nakai, who raced over and hugged her.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deferentially.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deferentially. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
