Synonyms for deferential
- adjective
Most common
respectful courteous attentive obliging obsequious reverential
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
2. Obsequious
Definitions
- adj. 1
Respectful and considerate; showing deference.
- adj. 2
Based on deference; based on the doctrine, ideology, or wishes of others rather than one's own conclusions.
Related words
- Word family
- deferentially defer deference deferent
Example sentences
- respectful I stood at a respectful distance from the old man.
- attentive Come on, be attentive, so you don’t let me go wrong.
- courteous Tom told me that he hoped Mary would be courteous.
- obliging He's the most obliging fellow I ever met.
- obsequious Obsequious people make me feel uncomfortable.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| deferential | rising | |
| respectful | rising | |
| attentive | rising | |
| courteous | steady | |
| obliging | steady | |
| obsequious | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 7 letters
- dutiful3
- 8 letters
- obedient4, obliging3, deferent
- 9 letters
- attentive3, courteous3, regardful
- 10 letters
- respectful3, obsequious4
- 11 letters
- reverential4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (dutiful3 = 3 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- déférent