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
May 9, 2024 Putin — known for sometimes staging haughty keep-them-waiting displays when other leaders make the trek to the Kremlin — has taken a notably deferential tone toward his host.
—
Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
More confident musicians listened to my daughter’s playing and improvised in deferential accompaniment.
—Ayla Samli, Longreads, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for deferential 
Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
More confident musicians listened to my daughter’s playing and improvised in deferential accompaniment.
—Ayla Samli, Longreads, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for deferential
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deferential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Deferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deferential. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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Medical Definition
deferential
adjective
def·er·en·tial
ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl
: deferent
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