deference

[ def-er-uhns ]

noun

1. respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, will, etc., of another.
2. respectful or courteous regard:

   in deference to his wishes.

deference

/ ˈdɛfərəns /

noun

1. submission to or compliance with the will, wishes, etc, of another
2. courteous regard; respect

Other Words From

• non·defer·ence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deference¹

1640–50; < French déf érence, Middle French, equivalent to defer ( er ) to defer ² + -ence -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of deference¹

C17: from French déférence; see defer ²

Example Sentences

“This is something that falls well outside the scope of deference that should be given to a president in nominating members of the senior team,” Bolton said on “Meet the Press Now.”

From Los Angeles Times

For many Ukrainians, the principal worry is whether their government — faced with a potential choking off of vital military aid in a few short months — would be forced to accede to a negotiated settlement giving up parts of their country to Russian President Vladimir Putin, toward whom Trump has long demonstrated striking deference.

From Los Angeles Times

Many of them seem to desperately want female affection, approval, and perhaps most of all respect—but having not exactly earned it, long for a time when female deference was essentially mandatory.

From Slate

Many Democrats fear that unresolved questions could land before a Supreme Court that has already shown deference to Trump, granting him immunity and effectively delaying his 2020 election interference trial until after Nov. 5.

From Salon

Tom Jawetz, deputy general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security from 2021 to 2022, said courts tend to give deference to the president for executive determinations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• civility
• courtesy
• reverence