Contumelious and Deferential
Opposite meaning words
Contumelious
Contumelious adjective - Marked by harsh insulting language.
Usage example: a well-reasoned thesis that merited more than just a scornful, contumelious response
Deferential is an antonym for contumelious.
Nearby Word: contumely
Deferential
Deferential adjective - Marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status.
Contumelious is an antonym for deferential.
Cite this Source
Deferential and Contumelious. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contumelious/deferential
Contumelious & Deferential. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contumelious/deferential>.
Deferential or Contumelious. 2016. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contumelious/deferential.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contumelious" and "deferential" have occurred on timeline