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
People have occasionally challenged their inclusion on such lists, but courts have been broadly deferential to government claims of national security.
—
Byron Tau, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Absent such a definition, courts historically have been quite deferential to a president’s determination that an emergency exists.
—Elizabeth Goitein, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
Just how deferential to Trump do voters want New York’s leaders to be?
—Donna Lieberman, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025
The Supreme Court's conservative majority has historically been highly deferential to the government's position on matters of national security, but the justices are also likely to be cautious about a precedent-setting decision that could silence a wildly popular communication tool.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
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Byron Tau, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Absent such a definition, courts historically have been quite deferential to a president’s determination that an emergency exists.
—Elizabeth Goitein, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
Just how deferential to Trump do voters want New York’s leaders to be?
—Donna Lieberman, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025
The Supreme Court's conservative majority has historically been highly deferential to the government's position on matters of national security, but the justices are also likely to be cautious about a precedent-setting decision that could silence a wildly popular communication tool.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deferential
Dictionary Entries Near deferential
Cite this Entry
“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deferential. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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Medical Definition
deferential
adjective
def·er·en·tial
ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl
: deferent
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