as in obedience
a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others
the sycophantic deference with which the hotel treats celebrity guests
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deference
The Trump administration has greater political flexibility to make such an offer than did the Obama or Biden administrations, thanks to the Republican Party’s deference to Trump’s foreign policy initiatives.
—
Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025
The Vikings will play the Steelers in Ireland on Sept. 28, but not because of deference to the Vikings.
—Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 25 May 2025
During the 30-minute ceremony, the bride and groom pay deference to their elders through bowing and serving them tea.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 May 2025
There is, however, one unwritten rule: a pontiff can’t take the name of Peter, out of deference to St. Peter, who is traditionally known as the Catholic Church’s first pope.
—George Petras, USA Today, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deference
Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025
The Vikings will play the Steelers in Ireland on Sept. 28, but not because of deference to the Vikings.
—Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 25 May 2025
During the 30-minute ceremony, the bride and groom pay deference to their elders through bowing and serving them tea.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 May 2025
There is, however, one unwritten rule: a pontiff can’t take the name of Peter, out of deference to St. Peter, who is traditionally known as the Catholic Church’s first pope.
—George Petras, USA Today, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deference
Noun
-
The three-day holiday of Eid-al-Adha commemorates the story in the Quran of God appearing to Ibrahim, or Abraham, in a dream and commanding him to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience.—
Monica Haider,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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Then, at around 10 to 12 weeks, after getting their vaccinations, your pup can enter obedience classes outside the home.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 May 2025
Noun
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The scene goes on at length, Fanny taking and twisting every one of her husband’s arguments into so many knots he is left tongue-tied, all opposition mute, all acquiescence complete.—
Natalie Jenner
May 6,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2025
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In a post-American Europe, Moscow would establish a patchwork of individual relationships with European countries, confronting some with territorial threats and gray-zone tactics (such as disinformation campaigns) and rewarding others for their acquiescence with cheap energy.—
Liana Fix,
Foreign Affairs,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deference. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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