Deferential

Meaning

Showing respectful submission to another's opinions or authority, sometimes excessively so.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin 'deferentem' (to bring down, submit), present participle of 'deferre'. Same root as 'defer' (to yield).

Synonyms

Respectful Submissive Acquiescent

Antonyms

Assertive Defiant Insubordinate

Example Sentence

"The Hindu's May 29, 2026 editorial argued that the Supreme Court's deferential treatment of the ECI's SIR exercise weakens institutional checks on administrative power."

🎯 UPSC Usage

GS2 Polity: Use precisely, judicial deference (Chevron doctrine in US, doctrine of judicial restraint in India), legislative deference. Often a critique-word when over-applied.

Relevant Subjects

← All Words

📰 Related Articles

23 Sept Current Affairs Today, September 23, 2026, Complete... 23 Sept SEBI Settles Hindenburg-Linked Disclosure Cases Against... 22 Sept Supreme Court: No Re-Arrest After an Article 22(1)...

✍️ Related Editorials

23 Sept Excellence and Care: What Student Deaths at the IITs... 23 Sept Treaties as Infrastructure: Using India's BITs and FTAs... 23 Sept No Crime Without Law: What the "Stillborn" UP Gangsters...

A new UPSC word every morning Word of the Day at 7am, plus daily current affairs and free PDFs

Join Channel