deferential

[ def-uh-ren-shuhl ]

adjective

1. showing deference; deferent; respectful.

   Synonyms: reverential, obedient, dutiful, regardful, courteous

deferential

/ ˌdɛfəˈrɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. marked by or showing deference or respect; respectful

Derived Forms

• ˌdeferˈentially, adverb

Other Words From

• defer·ential·ly adverb
• nondef·er·ential adjective
• nondef·er·ential·ly adverb
• over·defer·ential adjective
• over·defer·ential·ly adverb
• undef·er·ential adjective
• undef·er·ential·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of deferential¹

1815–25; after deference, by analogy with such pairs as residence: residential

Example Sentences

Every case is limited to the facts, and the appellate court was more deferential to Wooten’s testimony and expertise, said Abe Cisneros, another public records attorney.

From Voice of San Diego

The disarray of a scattered curriculum, the disenchantment of talented yet deferential faculty, and the disorientation of precious students loom large.

From Washington Post

Antony Blinken, who once served under Kerry, is now secretary of state, and Kerry has tried to remain deferential, even if his early enthusiasm has caused some administrative quandaries.

From Washington Post

EPD spokesperson Kevin Chambers, who did not make any agency officials available for an interview, said in a statement that the EPD “does not provide deferential treatment” to Georgia Power.

From ProPublica

Some have questioned whether he assumed that the crowd would be deferential to police or wondered if he was too focused on his impending retirement.

From Washington Post

She's a businesswoman, smart and not particularly deferential toward him.

From The Daily Beast

Colbert was properly, perhaps pitifully, deferential to Letterman.

From The Daily Beast

Now is not the time for lackadaisical, quiet and deferential diplomacy.

From The Daily Beast

A video of their meeting shows Akkari slightly nervous, almost deferential, and expressing his profound apologies.

From The Daily Beast

Female subordinates are often less respectful of, and deferential to, their female bosses than they are to their male bosses.

From The Daily Beast

There was in his manner towards her a mixture of business formality and the deferential attitude of a gentleman.

From Project Gutenberg

"Mademoiselle," I said, and my manner was as deferential as it might have been to her mistress.

From Project Gutenberg

Festooned flowers, deferential service, barbaric, subtly lascivious music—this waste would have fed those workers for years!

From Project Gutenberg

(placing an open copy of "Andromeda" in his hands with a charming air of deferential dictation).

From Project Gutenberg

"Shall be done, General," Marcus responded, with a deferential military salute.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• civil
• courteous
• obedient
• polite
• reverential
• submissive