deference
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The hapless man, Mr. de la Bédoyère writes, “sat by, unable or perhaps unwilling by virtue of his status and deference to do anything about the degrading spectacle.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
"The handshake evolved very slowly as a mode of greeting and had no bearing on hat-honor as a gesture of deference," he says.
From Science Daily • May 7, 2026
There’s no more reason for Kelly to feign deference to journalistic standards, because there’s no more glittering future in them.
From Slate • May 6, 2026
He theorises that inequality exists in a nation founded on pro-black, pan-African principles because a deference for whiteness was hard-wired into the region, long before independence.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
Conversely, to hide them, or try to, was a sign of deference—of deference to me.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Vocabulary lists containing deference
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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ASVAB Word Knowledge
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 4
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