deferential
adjective
def·er·en·tial
ˌde-fə-ˈren-chəl 
: showing or expressing respect and high regard due a superior or an elder : showing or expressing deference
listened with deferential attention to his grandfather
deferential to the judge's decision
Examples of deferential in a Sentence
the man had the deferential attitude of someone who had been a servant his entire life
Recent Examples on the Web
Wilken has rejected the NCAA’s portrayal of amateurism as inherently different and special, and thus more deserving of deferential antitrust treatment, than other businesses.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2024
Brenna is hip and intrusive, while Muir is deferential to a fault.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 July 2024
Unlike the deferential business judgement rule, the entire fairness standard of review is an especially tough one for boards since the court will examine both procedural and substantive fairness.
—Priya Cherian Huskins, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Although South Korean President Yoon promised to back Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy and to be less deferential toward China, his foreign minister, Park Jin, pledged in Beijing to support regional and global cooperation.
—Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for deferential 
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Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2024
Brenna is hip and intrusive, while Muir is deferential to a fault.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 July 2024
Unlike the deferential business judgement rule, the entire fairness standard of review is an especially tough one for boards since the court will examine both procedural and substantive fairness.
—Priya Cherian Huskins, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Although South Korean President Yoon promised to back Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy and to be less deferential toward China, his foreign minister, Park Jin, pledged in Beijing to support regional and global cooperation.
—Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for deferential
Dictionary Entries Near deferential
Cite this Entry
“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deferential. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
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Medical Definition
deferential
adjective
def·er·en·tial
ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl
: deferent
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