as in respectful
marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status
the man had the deferential attitude of someone who had been a servant his entire life
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Recent Examples of deferential
The lower court held that the ban is subject to rational-basis review, the most deferential of the three tiers of scrutiny.
—
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 4 Dec. 2024
While the women may be skittish around Karen and try not to disturb the deferential hierarchy, there is no such grace being offered to Ashley or Mia, who have been the main ones to go up against the newbies time and again.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024
The most important consequence of Alston was the Court clarifying the NCAA is not owed a deferential standard of review on antitrust claims, which the NCAA had invoked since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in NCAA v. Board of Regents (1984).
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Sep. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for deferential 
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 4 Dec. 2024
While the women may be skittish around Karen and try not to disturb the deferential hierarchy, there is no such grace being offered to Ashley or Mia, who have been the main ones to go up against the newbies time and again.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024
The most important consequence of Alston was the Court clarifying the NCAA is not owed a deferential standard of review on antitrust claims, which the NCAA had invoked since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in NCAA v. Board of Regents (1984).
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Sep. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for deferential
Thesaurus Entries Near deferential
Cite this Entry
“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deferential. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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