demur

¹de·mur

intransitive verb \di-ˈmər\

de·murredde·mur·ring

Definition of DEMUR

1

archaic : delay, hesitate

2

: to file a demurrer

3

: to take exception : object —often used with to or at

Examples of DEMUR

1. She suggested that he would win easily, but he demurred, saying he expected the election to be close.
2. <don't hesitate to demur to the idea if you have any qualms>

Origin of DEMUR

Middle English demuren, demeren to linger, from Anglo-French demurer, demoerer, from Latin demorari, from de- + morari to linger, from mora delay — more at mora

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to DEMUR

Synonyms

object, except, expostulate, kick, protest, remonstrate

Related Words

cavil, quibble; challenge, dare, defy, fight; conflict, debate, dispute, hassle, quarrel, squabble, wrangle; beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, keen, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl; balk, gag, stick; censure, criticize, denounce; disobey, rebel, withstand; demonstrate

Near Antonyms

approve, sanction; accept; accede, acquiesce, agree, assent; adhere, comply, conform, follow, mind, obey, observe; advocate, champion, defend, maintain, support, sustain, uphold; applaud, cheer, commend

Rhymes with DEMUR

as per, astir, auteur, aver, bestir, Big Sur, Bonheur, chasseur, chauffeur, claqueur, coiffeur, concur, confer, Crèvecoeur, danseur, defer, deter, douceur, du jour, farceur, flaneur, frondeur, hauteur, him/her, his/her, incur, infer, inter, jongleur, larkspur, liqueur, longspur, masseur, millefleur, occur, Pasteur, poseur, prefer, recur, refer, sandbur, sandspur, seigneur, transfer, voyeur, white fir

²demur

noun

Definition of DEMUR

1

: hesitation (as in doing or accepting) usually based on doubt of the acceptability of something offered or proposed

2

: the act or an instance of objecting : protest

Examples of DEMUR

1. <we accepted his offer to pay for our dinners without demur>

First Known Use of DEMUR

13th century

Related to DEMUR

Synonyms

challenge, complaint, objection, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick, protest, question, remonstrance, stink

Related Words

compunction, doubt, misgiving, qualm, scruple; misunderstanding; cavil, niggle [chiefly British], quibble; argument, conflict, debate, dispute, dissent, hassle, quarrel, squabble, static; censure, criticism; defiance, disobedience, rebellion; distrust, distrustfulness, dubiety, dubitation [archaic], incertitude, indetermination, misdoubt, mistrust, mistrustfulness, reservation, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainty; qualmishness, unease, uneasiness; reluctance, unwillingness

Near Antonyms

willingness; approval, sanction; acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent; compliance, obedience

See Synonym Discussion at qualm