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

Other Word Forms

• deferentially adverb
• nondeferential adjective
• nondeferentially adverb
• overdeferential adjective
• overdeferentially adverb
• undeferential adjective
• undeferentially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of deferential¹

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

Example Sentences

Ellison wanted to keep Sheridan in the fold but felt the previous regime was too deferential, a person familiar with his thinking said.

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So the collaborative feel of “Mr. Scorsese,” which often tips toward the deferential, is not surprising.

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The media and the legal community deserves some blame: By disguising hardball politics as constitutional theory, Roberts capitalized on longstanding deferential traditions and incentives within media court-watchers and academics.

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California’s challenge to those justifications has so far floundered in court, with the 9th Circuit finding in June that judges must be “highly deferential” to the president’s interpretation of facts on the ground.

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But it’s worth stressing the takeaway: Redford was always deferential to his leading women, all of whom bloomed and ached in his absence.

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Related Words

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