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.
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
“This deferential standard of review leaves no basis for faulting the Commission’s work,” the appeals court had concluded then in its opinion.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025
Despite his reputation for brusqueness, he made his proposal in a deferential manner.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Vocabulary lists containing deferential
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