Deferential and Passive

Deferential

Deferential adjective - Marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status.

Passive is a synonym for deferential in prostrate topic. In some cases you can use "Passive" instead an adjective "Deferential".

Nearby Words: deference, deferentially, deferent

Passive

Passive adjective - Receiving or enduring without offering resistance.

Deferential is a synonym for passive in prostrate topic. You can use "Deferential" instead an adjective "Passive", if it concerns topics such as submissive.

Nearby Words: passivity, passively, passible, passivation

Both words in one sentence

  • Series / Yes, Minister Passive-Aggressive Kombat: A speciality of the Civil Service, who tend to dress up scathing criticisms and insults in very polite and at times deferential language.
Cite this Source
Passive and Deferential. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/deferential/passive
Deferential & Passive. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/deferential/passive>.
Passive or Deferential. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/deferential/passive.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "deferential" and "passive" have occurred on timeline