demur

1 of 2

verb

de·​mur di-ˈmər 

demurred; demurring

intransitive verb

1

: to take exception : object

—often used with to or at

it would seem hazardous to demur to a proposition which is so widely accepted

—Samuel Alexander

2

law : to file a demurrer

3

archaic : delay, hesitate

demur

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or an instance of objecting : protest

rather than be brought into court he will pay without demur

—G. B. Shaw

2

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

after some delay and demur, the door grudgingly turned on its hinges

—Charles Dickens

Synonyms

Verb

• except
• expostulate
• kick
• object
• protest
• remonstrate (with)

Noun

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

Choose the Right Synonym for demur

qualm, scruple, compunction, demur mean a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do.

qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment.

no qualms about plagiarizing

scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.

no scruples against buying stolen goods

compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.

had compunctions about lying

demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.

accepted her decision without demur

Examples of demur in a Sentence

Verb

She suggested that he would win easily, but he demurred, saying he expected the election to be close.

don't hesitate to demur to the idea if you have any qualms

Noun

we accepted his offer to pay for our dinners without demur

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Asked if Tobias should have moved out of the way, given how slowly the collision developed, Arniel demurred. —Murat Ates, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

The court then demurred on the deeper question about tenants’ access to jury trials. —The Denver Post, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2025

Previously, O’Hara had demurred on the comparisons. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025

When asked about the possibility of a recession, Trump demurred — in a reply that sparked this week's market turmoil. —Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

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

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for demur

• chauffeur
• cockspur
• concur
• confer
• defer
• deter
• hotspur
• incur
• infer
• inter
• jagir
• larkspur

Kids Definition

demur

1 of 2 verb

de·​mur di-ˈmər 

demurred; demurring

: object entry 2 sense 2

demur

2 of 2 noun

: the act of objecting : protest

accepted without demur

Legal Definition

demur

intransitive verb

de·​mur di-ˈmər 

demurred; demurring

: to interpose a demurrer

demur to the declaration

demurrable adjective