deferential
adjective
def·er·en·tial
ˌde-fə-ˈren-chəl 
: showing or expressing respect and high regard due a superior or an elder : showing or expressing deference
listened with deferential attention to his grandfather
deferential to the judge's decision
Examples of deferential in a Sentence
the man had the deferential attitude of someone who had been a servant his entire life
Recent Examples on the Web
Veterans groups, however, complained that the new court was too deferential to the VA when reviewing the agency’s decisions.
—
Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
In short, the Trump-Ukraine policy that the country’s defenders feared — one that is overly deferential to Russia and pushes for a quick deal, even at the cost of Ukraine’s sovereignty — appears to be coming to fruition.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 20 Feb. 2025
The Red Sox have long taken an almost deferential approach to Devers, but Tuesday, one day before the Bregman deal was complete, Breslow offered a more assertive tone.
—Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Back in the sleeping area, Dae-ho confessed to being Gi-hun’s fan and was extra deferential to his fellow ex-Marine, Jung-bae.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for deferential
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Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
In short, the Trump-Ukraine policy that the country’s defenders feared — one that is overly deferential to Russia and pushes for a quick deal, even at the cost of Ukraine’s sovereignty — appears to be coming to fruition.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 20 Feb. 2025
The Red Sox have long taken an almost deferential approach to Devers, but Tuesday, one day before the Bregman deal was complete, Breslow offered a more assertive tone.
—Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Back in the sleeping area, Dae-ho confessed to being Gi-hun’s fan and was extra deferential to his fellow ex-Marine, Jung-bae.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for deferential
Cite this Entry
“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deferential. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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Medical Definition
deferential
adjective
def·er·en·tial
ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl
: deferent
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