deference
/ˈdɛfəɹəns/
Group 3Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (noun)
- Humble submission and respect GRE
Example in Context
The junior associate showed excessive deference to her superiors, never questioning decisions even when she spotted obvious errors.
Synonyms
respectregardsubmission
Etymology
To yield respect and submission, derived from yielding to others.
- deferre (Latin) — to yield
Memory Aid
👂Sounds like “deaf for sense”
Imagine being DEAF FOR SENSE, bowing to everyone, showing DEFERENCE!
Visual Association
🙇♂️A person bowing deeply in front of a wise elder, showing utmost respect.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “deference” mean on the GRE?
deference (noun) means “Humble submission and respect”. The junior associate showed excessive deference to her superiors, never questioning decisions even when she spotted obvious errors.
How to remember “deference” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “deference” sounds like “deaf for sense”. Imagine being DEAF FOR SENSE, bowing to everyone, showing DEFERENCE!
What are synonyms for “deference”?
Common synonyms: respect, regard, submission.