deferential
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 justices are appointed by the Assembly, and are traditionally quite deferential to it.
From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026
Administrators are typically deferential to their own superiors, with whom they often identify.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
But he added an "overly deferential" approach to engaging with them would "almost inevitably creates political challenges or missed positive opportunities".
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
"He was intensely serious but showed flashes of humour. He encouraged debate although his officers were deferential," Pike wrote in a 2019 book.
From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026
They were reckless, puerile, congenial, naive, presumptuous, deferential and rambunctious.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Vocabulary lists containing deferential
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