deferential
10
6.6
- adjective
- /ˌdɛfərˈɛnʃəl/
- Formal
- When issues are complex and systemic interests are at stake, appellate review should be less deferential.
- deferential manner
- deferential tone
- deferential attitude
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Watch on YouTubeIt just seems logical is that the larger the family, the more you had to learn to be deferential and accommodating to people in your space.
- It just seems logical is that the larger the family, the more you had to learn to be deferential and accommodating to people in your space.
- The reason it's taking long, I think, is because every agency in government is generally deferential to the FDA.
- So they were deferential to the black Marxist militants in Chaz just because they happen to be black.
- There are long strings of cases that are deferential to the president and the president's authority to act where the Constitution allows it.
- He was patient, deferential, and what I hope from Lady Justice is when the blindfold is on the balance, the scales are balanced.
Examples
-
There was something childlike about her, trustful and deferential, like a child.
Academic text (2005) -
Power here is expressed in deferential behavior to the pump owner.
Academic text (1995) -
This is very deferential to the state courts.
-
But I could see that she had painted a deferential look on her face.
Fiction book (1996) -
The reason it's taking long, I think, is because every agency in government is generally deferential to the FDA.
-
Your predecessor was less deferential.
-
His opinion seems especially deferential when one considers how casual the legislative process was.
Academic text (1995) -
But I've never seen such deferential body language and affect from Trump, and we have been watching him now for a decade.
-
"OK," Rayford said, "but my guess is they'll be deferential to me."
Fiction book (1998) -
The student was deferential toward her professor, always listening carefully to his advice.
Synonyms
146
1.1
Being polite and showing admiration for someone
39
5.1
Willing to obey others and not argue
39
3.7
Polite and respectful when you speak or behave
23
1.0
Having elegant manners and good taste in art or dress
10
6.1
Showing deep respect, often during religious or formal events
3
7.1
Showing deep respect and love, often for a person or God
3
7.6
Showing deep respect and awe
2
4.1
Polite and behaving well around other people
1
7.7
Respectful and willing to accept other people's opinions
1
7.3
Being polite and treating people with respect
1
7.7
Respectful and careful about other people's feelings
1
9.1
Very respectful and ready to obey someone in a formal way
Antonyms
How Respectful
- Formal
8
9.3
39
5.1
- Formal
10
6.6
146
1.1
336
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Deferential comes from defer, which once meant to 'give' or 'hand over' to someone of higher rank. Think of the fer part as in transfer ('to carry'), so being deferential is like 'giving' your respect to another person, which is why it means showing polite respect.