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
Until the 1960s, most broadcasting was dry and deferential.
From BBC • Mar. 7, 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
Fully autonomous driving will worsen traffic conditions for a time, he argues, introducing cars that will be too deferential and unable to coordinate with other drivers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 7, 2025
A kindly and deferential sort of fellow, Mengle could talk for perhaps four days solid, with interest, about any aspect of hiking equipment.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
Vocabulary lists containing deferential
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