deference

noun

def·er·ence ˈde-fə-rən(t)s How to pronounce deference (audio)

ˈdef-rən(t)s

: respect and esteem due a superior or an elder

also : affected or ingratiating regard for another's wishes

Did you know?

We need to be specific when we tell you that deference and defer both derive from the Medieval Latin dēferre, which means "to convey, show respect, submit to a decision," because there are two defers in the English language. The defer related to deference is typically used with to in contexts having to do either with allowing someone else to decide or choose something, as in "I'll defer to the experts," or with agreeing to follow someone else's decision, wish, etc., as when a court defers to precedent. The other defer traces to the Latin differre, meaning "to carry away in varying directions, spread abroad, postpone, delay, be unlike or distinct." That defer is typically used in contexts having to do with delaying or postponing something, as in "a willingness to defer the decision until next month."

Example Sentences

Deference to leaders and intolerance toward outsiders (and toward "enemies within") are hallmarks of tribalism …

Benjamin R. Barber, Atlantic, March 1992 In the 1980s, in deference to the neighborhoods, City Hall would attempt a counter-reformation of downtown, forbidding "Manhattanization."

Richard Rodriguez, Harper's, October 1990 She could have subtly appealed to the deference … she knew was still in there, encoded in their middle-aged hearts; she never did.

Peggy Noonan, New York Times Magazine, 16 Dec. 1990 A sense of deference to the upper class among whites made it possible, in Sproat's estimation, for white leaders to contain the white supremacists.

Robert L. Harris, Jr., American Historical Review, December 1987 Her relatives treat one another with deference. He is shown much deference by his colleagues. See More

Recent Examples on the Web The media is another space in which deference to the mourning period has sparked discomfort, as regular news coverage and television programming has been eclipsed with wall-to-wall updates on King Charles III’s accession.

Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2022 The early deference to quiet diplomacy gave way to a sense of impatience, and even a feeling of betrayal.

Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2022 Those semi-fictionalized accounts were the product of an era of declining deference and rising celebrity, when the royal troubles became public property.

Jill Lawless, ajc, 8 Sep. 2022 Those semi-fictionalized accounts were the product of an era of declining deference and rising celebrity, when the royal troubles became public property.

Danica Kirka, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Those semi-fictionalized accounts were the product of an era of declining deference and rising celebrity, when the royal family’s troubles became public property.

Danica Kirka, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 Those semi-fictionalized accounts were the product of an era of declining deference and rising celebrity, when the royal family’s troubles became public property.

Danica Kirka, Jill Lawless And Sylvia Hui, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2022 Things were changing at home, too, as the old deference for the monarchy gave way in the 1960s and 1970s to satire, rising antiestablishment sentiment and greater public scrutiny.

James Hookway, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 But instead of turning tail the creators (rightfully) stood by their creation and now have ratcheted up the boldness with the remake which, by title alone, has deference to the essential nature of the sequel.

Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2022 See More

deference

noun

as in acquiescence

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

acquiescence
obedience
submissiveness
docility
humoring
subservience
assent
obsequiousness
complaisance
compliancy
servility
subserviency
slavishness
compliance
receptivity
biddability
receptiveness
acceptance
cordiality
friendliness
amenability
amiability
consent
geniality
surrender
conformity
cooperativeness
indulgence
capitulation
amicability
affability
sociability
congeniality
good-naturedness
submission

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

defiance
disobedience
hostility
animosity
antipathy
recalcitrance
enmity
intractability
ill will

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of deference are homage, honor, and reverence. While all these words mean "respect and esteem shown to another," deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence.

showed no deference to their elders

The words homage and deference can be used in similar contexts, but homage adds the implication of accompanying praise.

paying homage to Shakespeare

The words honor and deference are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition.

the nomination is an honor

The synonyms reverence and deference are sometimes interchangeable, but reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe.

great reverence for my father

单词	deference
释义	deference noun def·er·ence ˈde-fə-rən(t)s ˈdef-rən(t)s : respect and esteem due a superior or an elder also : affected or ingratiating regard for another's wishes Phrases in deference to : in consideration of returned early in deference to her parents' wishes Did you know? We need to be specific when we tell you that deference and defer both derive from the Medieval Latin dēferre, which means "to convey, show respect, submit to a decision," because there are two defers in the English language. The defer related to deference is typically used with to in contexts having to do either with allowing someone else to decide or choose something, as in "I'll defer to the experts," or with agreeing to follow someone else's decision, wish, etc., as when a court defers to precedent. The other defer traces to the Latin differre, meaning "to carry away in varying directions, spread abroad, postpone, delay, be unlike or distinct." That defer is typically used in contexts having to do with delaying or postponing something, as in "a willingness to defer the decision until next month." Synonyms acquiescence biddability compliance compliancy docility obedience submissiveness See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Deference to leaders and intolerance toward outsiders (and toward "enemies within") are hallmarks of tribalism … Benjamin R. Barber, Atlantic, March 1992 In the 1980s, in deference to the neighborhoods, City Hall would attempt a counter-reformation of downtown, forbidding "Manhattanization." Richard Rodriguez, Harper's, October 1990 She could have subtly appealed to the deference … she knew was still in there, encoded in their middle-aged hearts; she never did. Peggy Noonan, New York Times Magazine, 16 Dec. 1990 A sense of deference to the upper class among whites made it possible, in Sproat's estimation, for white leaders to contain the white supremacists. Robert L. Harris, Jr., American Historical Review, December 1987 Her relatives treat one another with deference. He is shown much deference by his colleagues. See More Recent Examples on the Web The media is another space in which deference to the mourning period has sparked discomfort, as regular news coverage and television programming has been eclipsed with wall-to-wall updates on King Charles III’s accession. Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2022 The early deference to quiet diplomacy gave way to a sense of impatience, and even a feeling of betrayal. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2022 Those semi-fictionalized accounts were the product of an era of declining deference and rising celebrity, when the royal troubles became public property. Jill Lawless, ajc, 8 Sep. 2022 Those semi-fictionalized accounts were the product of an era of declining deference and rising celebrity, when the royal troubles became public property. Danica Kirka, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Those semi-fictionalized accounts were the product of an era of declining deference and rising celebrity, when the royal family’s troubles became public property. Danica Kirka, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 Those semi-fictionalized accounts were the product of an era of declining deference and rising celebrity, when the royal family’s troubles became public property. Danica Kirka, Jill Lawless And Sylvia Hui, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2022 Things were changing at home, too, as the old deference for the monarchy gave way in the 1960s and 1970s to satire, rising antiestablishment sentiment and greater public scrutiny. James Hookway, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 But instead of turning tail the creators (rightfully) stood by their creation and now have ratcheted up the boldness with the remake which, by title alone, has deference to the essential nature of the sequel. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2022 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from French déférence, going back to Middle French deference "act of submitting," from deferer "to submit to another, defer entry 2" + -ence -ence First Known Use 1660, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing deference in deference to in deference to Kids Definition deference noun def·er·ence ˈde-fə-rəns ˈde-frəns : respect and consideration for the wishes of another deference noun as in acquiescence 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 acquiescence obedience submissiveness docility humoring subservience assent obsequiousness complaisance compliancy servility subserviency slavishness compliance receptivity biddability receptiveness acceptance cordiality friendliness amenability amiability consent geniality surrender conformity cooperativeness indulgence capitulation amicability affability sociability congeniality good-naturedness submission Antonyms & Near Antonyms defiance disobedience hostility animosity antipathy recalcitrance enmity intractability ill will See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of deference are homage, honor, and reverence. While all these words mean "respect and esteem shown to another," deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence. showed no deference to their elders The words homage and deference can be used in similar contexts, but homage adds the implication of accompanying praise. paying homage to Shakespeare The words honor and deference are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition. the nomination is an honor The synonyms reverence and deference are sometimes interchangeable, but reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe. great reverence for my father
随便看	monochromaticity monochromatism monochromatisms monochromatize monochromator monochromators monochromats monochrome monochromes monochromic monochromist monochromists monochromous monochromy monochronous monociliated monocle monocled monocleid monocleide monocles monoclinal monoclinally monocline monoclines

deference

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing deference

Kids Definition

noun

noun

Synonym Chooser