as in obedience
a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others
the sycophantic deference with which the hotel treats celebrity guests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deference
Blurring the line between government and personal interests Musk’s influence in the Trump administration comes as other CEOs who run the world’s biggest social media companies have shown deference to the president and even changed policies to align with his worldview.
—
Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
McRae stands alone as a pop allegiant, one with deference to the artists that came before her and a proclivity for their brand of spectacle.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025
Among those who have raised concern about Trump’s leverage over Adams were four of his deputy mayors, who submitted their resignations earlier this week due to their unease about his deference to the president, according to sources.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025
Even that display of deference, however, appears to be insufficient for the new administration.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deference
Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
McRae stands alone as a pop allegiant, one with deference to the artists that came before her and a proclivity for their brand of spectacle.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025
Among those who have raised concern about Trump’s leverage over Adams were four of his deputy mayors, who submitted their resignations earlier this week due to their unease about his deference to the president, according to sources.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025
Even that display of deference, however, appears to be insufficient for the new administration.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deference
Cite this Entry
“Deference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deference. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share