adjective showing or expressing respect and high regard
Teachers often expect students to be deferential in the classroom, showing respect for their knowledge and authority.
In the hospitality industry, staff members are expected to be deferential towards guests, showing respect and courtesy at all times.
In diplomatic settings, it is important for representatives to be deferential towards their counterparts, maintaining a respectful and polite demeanor.
Customer service representatives are trained to be deferential towards customers, listening attentively to their needs and addressing them with respect.
In many corporate environments, employees are encouraged to be deferential towards their superiors, following chain of command and showing respect for hierarchy.
In a professional setting, a writer may use the term 'deferential' to describe a character in a story who shows respect or submission to another character.
A psychologist may use 'deferential' to describe a patient who is overly submissive or compliant in therapy sessions.
A teacher may use 'deferential' to describe a student who always shows respect and obedience in the classroom.
A lawyer may use 'deferential' to describe a client who is overly deferential to their legal counsel, potentially hindering effective communication.