Synonyms of deferential

deferential

adjective

ˌde-fə-ˈren-chəl 

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

• respectful
• deferent
• regardful
• dutiful
• polite
• reverent
• civil
• gracious
• worshipful
• reverential
• obsequious
• servile
• grovelling
• sycophantic
• hagiographical
• fawning
• courteous
• subservient
• venerating
• hagiographic
• kowtowing
• toadying
• genuflecting
• groveling
• kid-glove
• kid-gloved

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disrespectful
• offensive
• abusive
• insulting
• demeaning
• derogatory
• contemptuous
• undutiful
• disparaging
• scornful
• irreverent
• impudent
• insolent
• rude
• depreciatory
• depreciative
• discourteous
• uncivil
• belittling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deferential

The Supreme Court's conservative majority has historically been highly deferential to the government's position on matters of national security, but the justices are also likely to be cautious about a precedent-setting decision that could silence a wildly popular communication tool. —Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025

Cannon has long been criticized for being unfairly deferential to Trump as the documents dispute has moved forward. —Alison Durkee, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Without any physical proof of his story, police higher-ups won’t let his deferential boss devote any resources to an investigation. —Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024

The Supreme Court has grown more deferential to Trump, who appointed three of its nine members. —Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024