Deferential and Supercilious
Opposite meaning words
Deferential
Deferential adjective - Marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status.
Supercilious is an antonym for deferential.
Supercilious
Supercilious adjective - Having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude.
Usage example: the supercilious art dealer rolled her eyes when we asked if she had anything for under $1,000
Deferential is an antonym for supercilious.
Nearby Words: superciliousness, superciliary
Cite this Source
Supercilious and Deferential. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/deferential/supercilious
Deferential & Supercilious. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/deferential/supercilious>.
Supercilious or Deferential. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/deferential/supercilious.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "deferential" and "supercilious" have occurred on timeline