as in respectful
marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status
though he's already attained star status, the rookie remains deferent to the team's veteran players
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Recent Examples of deferent
The Ptolemaic model depicted planets moving around Earth in a big circle, known as a deferent, then going around a smaller circle while retrograding, called an epicycle.
—
Carlie Procell, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024
The Ptolemaic model depicted planets moving around Earth in a big circle, known as a deferent, then going around a smaller circle while retrograding, called an epicycle.
—Carlie Procell, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2023
Curiously, the Biden administration sees it this way, too, but still takes a stance deferent to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s fierce advocacy for it and opposition to U.S. sanctions that would target European companies and individuals involved in its construction.
—Jimmy Quinn, National Review, 20 July 2021
The men were expected to be compliant, deferent to the CEO, resilient and tough.
—Kirsten Garbini, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2021
Carlie Procell, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024
The Ptolemaic model depicted planets moving around Earth in a big circle, known as a deferent, then going around a smaller circle while retrograding, called an epicycle.
—Carlie Procell, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2023
Curiously, the Biden administration sees it this way, too, but still takes a stance deferent to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s fierce advocacy for it and opposition to U.S. sanctions that would target European companies and individuals involved in its construction.
—Jimmy Quinn, National Review, 20 July 2021
The men were expected to be compliant, deferent to the CEO, resilient and tough.
—Kirsten Garbini, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deferent
respectful
Adjective
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The call started as expected – respectful and professional on both sides.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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His cultural instinct to retreat into respectful silence was misread by headquarters as weakness, nearly derailing his career trajectory.—
Katrina Burrus,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deferent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deferent. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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