deferential

adjective

def·​er·​en·​tial ˌde-fə-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce deferential (audio)
: 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
deferentially adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wilken has rejected the NCAA’s portrayal of amateurism as inherently different and special, and thus more deserving of deferential antitrust treatment, than other businesses. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2024 Brenna is hip and intrusive, while Muir is deferential to a fault. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 July 2024 Unlike the deferential business judgement rule, the entire fairness standard of review is an especially tough one for boards since the court will examine both procedural and substantive fairness. Priya Cherian Huskins, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Although South Korean President Yoon promised to back Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy and to be less deferential toward China, his foreign minister, Park Jin, pledged in Beijing to support regional and global cooperation. Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2022 See all Example Sentences for deferential 

Word History

Etymology

defer(ence) + -ential, by analogy with other Latin-derived words where the suffixes -ence and -ential imply one another (as prudence, prudential)

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deferential was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near deferential

Cite this Entry

“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deferential. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

deferential

adjective
def·​er·​en·​tial ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce deferential (audio)
: showing or expressing deference
deferentially adverb

Medical Definition

deferential

adjective
def·​er·​en·​tial ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce deferential (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on deferential

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