as in humbly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion
behaved deferentially when approaching someone in authority
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deferentially
Precedent thus gave the judge reason to deferentially review settlement terms.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
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
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deferentially
Adverb
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The restaurant from Yao and co-owners Ryan Bailey and Nikki Reginaldo began humbly, as did its beverage program.
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The post shows the actress going from humbly accepting the compliment to striking her best modeling poses as the wind blows through her hair.
Adverb
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For much of the last two seasons, Washington’s defense has been out of sync, to put it politely.
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Almost nine years after their awkward handshake at the 2017 Bastille Day military parade, the two men politely shook hands and expressed their affinity for each other.
Adverb
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Outwardly Smart behaved submissively, following her captors’ instructions while always looking for a way to escape.
Adverb
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Sincere meekly hands her a flower from his pocket and sits down, appearing penitent.
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Whether a man chose to use that pistol or meekly give up the money to a robber was up to him.
Adverb
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This is sending shivers down the spines of regular Democrats, who now sheepishly admit the party has been turned over to the left-wing loons.
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The boy stepped out of the chair, thanked the staff and said goodbye — only to sheepishly return for a hug with Hiniker.
Cite this Entry
“Deferentially.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deferentially. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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