Deference and Respect

Deference

Deference noun - Courteous regard for people's feelings.
Usage example: in deference to your wishes

Respect is a synonym for deference in feeling topic. In some cases you can use "Respect" instead a noun "Deference", when it comes to topics like esteem, reverence, attention. popular alternative

Respect

Respect noun - A feeling of great approval and liking.
Usage example: I have a lot of respect for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s steadfast courage

Deference is a synonym for respect in esteem topic. You can use "Deference" instead a noun "Respect", if it concerns topics such as feeling, reverence, consideration, due regard. popular alternative

How words are described

special special deference special respect
proper proper deference proper respect
due due deference due respect
real real deference real respect
Other adjectives: constant, extreme, great, enormous, absolute.

Both words in one sentence

  • Japan's hierarchical culture requires junior members of a group to show deference and respect to their seniors, but there is no obligation on the seniors to show any respect to the people under them.
  • In particular, she's aghast at the fact old *Mute would argue with the male Councilors of the Mughungwa without the slightest bit of deference or respect, something completely at odds with new *Mute's Confucian, Stay in the Kitchen values.
  • Literature / Lady Susan I am tired of submitting my will to the caprices of others; of resigning my own judgment in deference to those to whom I owe no duty, and for whom I feel no respect.
Cite this Source
Respect and Deference. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/deference/respect
Deference & Respect. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/deference/respect>.
Respect or Deference. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/deference/respect.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "deference" and "respect" have occurred on timeline