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.
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
In general, the law is deferential to police, giving officers significant discretion to use force, making it difficult to hold them criminally or civilly liable.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026
So the collaborative feel of “Mr. Scorsese,” which often tips toward the deferential, is not surprising.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025
Half of her wanted to be very rude to it; the other half of her wanted to be polite and deferential.
From "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman
Vocabulary lists containing deferential
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