Sublime

You’re almost saying, “What? That’s the best you can do? Tell me something I don’t already know,” which completely takes the wind out of the other person’s sails, but without causing any bad blood.

Avoid sarcasm, scorn, and ridicule. Use humor cautiously. Hold back insult. No one admires the cynic, the scoffer, the mocker, the small, and the petty. Giving respect to one's opponent elevates us. Those who insult and slight do so from low places.

Rafe only fanned harder. “Do you hear me, you deaf old thing? Damn you, dog. Don’t you die on me now.” In response, Ellingworth belched.

deferential

“Dispense your words of wisdom, then, as it appears that I’m going to hear them whether I wish to or not.”