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.

“He could come across as self-effacing and deferential, but in Don’s skilled hands those were qualities that made him an enormously strong and effective leader,” Boccardi said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Berkshire’s 13-member board of directors—including two of Buffett’s three children—has long been deferential to Buffett and could use stronger independent members now that Buffett is no longer CEO.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

In habeas doctrine, the danger has always been that federal review becomes so deferential that even substantial constitutional claims are transformed into sterile questions of state-court reasonableness.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 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

In point of fact, Pocock, with only a lower- school education, tended to believe that it was he rather than these college men who should be deferential.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown