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.
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
"The tech industry has been given deferential treatment - I think we're seeing that start to change."
From BBC • Jan. 26, 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
Still, the justices have been deferential to presidential powers and the outcome is uncertain.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025
The guards at the quarry and the warders in our section seemed a bit more deferential.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Vocabulary lists containing deferential
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