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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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 deferential 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 Using drone surveys to map the forest canopy, the team tested how views might shift if certain trees were felled, inching toward a location that felt both deliberate and deferential to the land. —Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2026 Supreme Court review could provide an intriguing mix of issues for the nine justices, a majority of whom are viewed as business-friendly but also deferential to states’ rights and skeptical of federal agencies. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deferential
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 Using drone surveys to map the forest canopy, the team tested how views might shift if certain trees were felled, inching toward a location that felt both deliberate and deferential to the land. —Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2026 Supreme Court review could provide an intriguing mix of issues for the nine justices, a majority of whom are viewed as business-friendly but also deferential to states’ rights and skeptical of federal agencies. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deferential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deferential
Adjective
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The show’s premise is to encourage just that kind of honest and respectful conversation between people with very different beliefs about medicine and health.— Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 Apr. 2026
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Insulting comments by this individual do not promote the slightest suggestion of reasonable and respectful negotiations.— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 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.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/deferential. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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