demur

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

Synonyms of demur

• object
• protest
• complain

Examples of demur in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

In January, Howe had pushed to sign Rayan, the young Brazilian forward, but the club demurred and instead the player left Vasco da Gama for Bournemouth. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 May 2026

When asked about joining a list of Lakers coaches that includes Jackson and Pat Riley, Redick demurred. —Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026

Asked Thursday about which specific posts his wife regretted, Mamdani demurred. —CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026

When the populist demagogue Willie Stark orders Burden, journalist turned gumshoe, to dig up dirt on a local judge, Burden demurs; certainly there are no skeletons in the office of the good judge. —Brenda Wineapple, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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