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
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Recent Examples of deferential
But while the Supreme Court has historically been deferential to presidents on immigration issues, defining who is an American by birth is different, according to longtime immigration law scholar Stephen Yale-Loehr.
—
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
At the start of the season, there was a deferential aspect to Jakucionis’ play, including his shooting.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
Harrell thinks the courts could be deferential to the White House in that respect, but that increasing the duty to 15 percent could invite greater legal scrutiny and make the argument more wobbly.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2026
Beverly, Margot and Elsie were raised to be deferential to their husbands on matters big and small.
—Diane Garrett, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
At the start of the season, there was a deferential aspect to Jakucionis’ play, including his shooting.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
Harrell thinks the courts could be deferential to the White House in that respect, but that increasing the duty to 15 percent could invite greater legal scrutiny and make the argument more wobbly.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2026
Beverly, Margot and Elsie were raised to be deferential to their husbands on matters big and small.
—Diane Garrett, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deferential
Adjective
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Remaining quiet and respectful increases the chances of observing bears in their natural habitat without disturbing them.—
Debbie Olsen,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
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The event is a fundraiser for the Theatre Community Benevolent Fund, which provides financial relief in a confidential, respectful manner to individual theatre practitioners of greater Boston.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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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 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deferential. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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