Find Antonyms

deference Antonyms

Opposite of deference

Pinning down the opposite of deference requires matching its exact sense, so the antonyms and opposite words below are paired with a clear noun definition and ranked by contrast strength.
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• noun (Context 1)

Humble submission, courteous regard, and respect shown toward the judgment, opinion, or authority of another person.

Usage Example

"The junior researchers listened in polite defiance as the Nobel laureate critiqued their experimental methodology."

Strongest
defiance
disrespect
insolence
Strong
impudence
contempt
disregard
insubordination
arrogance

Similar words to deference

Words similar to deference shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:

respect
regard
reverence
homage
veneration
compliance
acquiescence
submission
See all synonyms of deference

• Nearby Words

defensiveness
defer
deferable
deference
deferential
deferment
deferrable

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Deference. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/deference
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