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deferential
/ ˌdɛfəˈrɛnʃəl /
adjective
- marked by or showing deference or respect; respectful
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Derived Forms
- ˌdeferˈentially, adverb
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Other Words From
- defer·ential·ly adverb
- nondef·er·ential adjective
- nondef·er·ential·ly adverb
- over·defer·ential adjective
- over·defer·ential·ly adverb
- undef·er·ential adjective
- undef·er·ential·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins
Origin of deferential1
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Example Sentences
She's a businesswoman, smart and not particularly deferential toward him.
Colbert was properly, perhaps pitifully, deferential to Letterman.
Now is not the time for lackadaisical, quiet and deferential diplomacy.
A video of their meeting shows Akkari slightly nervous, almost deferential, and expressing his profound apologies.
Female subordinates are often less respectful of, and deferential to, their female bosses than they are to their male bosses.
There was in his manner towards her a mixture of business formality and the deferential attitude of a gentleman.
"Mademoiselle," I said, and my manner was as deferential as it might have been to her mistress.
Festooned flowers, deferential service, barbaric, subtly lascivious music—this waste would have fed those workers for years!
(placing an open copy of "Andromeda" in his hands with a charming air of deferential dictation).
"Shall be done, General," Marcus responded, with a deferential military salute.
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