1
as in coquettish
affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest
the previously demure maiden began making some surprisingly shocking remarks
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2
as in shy
not comfortable around people
hesitant and demure, she hardly spoke a word at the banquet table
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in meek
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness
wore a very demure outfit to the interview for the job at the church's headquarters
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Recent Examples of demure
Guardiola, usually a manager who passionately cajoles his players on the sidelines, cut a far more demure figure in the second half.
—
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
The pageant’s swimsuit (read: bikini) contest meanwhile endures, years after competitions like Miss World and Miss America ditched theirs in favor of marginally more demure alternatives, such as athleisure parades.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Wicked: For Good director Jon M. Chu knew that wouldn't work on the big screen, and opted for his Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) to take a more demure approach (including one fantastically cozy sweater robe).
—Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Nov. 2025
Sofia the First boasts a princess who is not demure, but instead loves adventure and stands up for what’s right.
—Taylor Grothe, Parents, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
The pageant’s swimsuit (read: bikini) contest meanwhile endures, years after competitions like Miss World and Miss America ditched theirs in favor of marginally more demure alternatives, such as athleisure parades.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Wicked: For Good director Jon M. Chu knew that wouldn't work on the big screen, and opted for his Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) to take a more demure approach (including one fantastically cozy sweater robe).
—Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Nov. 2025
Sofia the First boasts a princess who is not demure, but instead loves adventure and stands up for what’s right.
—Taylor Grothe, Parents, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
-
Soft blush and ivory tones, satin bows, lace details and dainty ornaments make your space feel dreamy and coquettish.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
18 Dec. 2025
-
Kardashian's coquettish bow headband was a surprisingly traditional and festive look for the All's Fair star, who generally prefers a sleeker hairstyle or long, loose waves versus sweet or cheeky accessories.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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On the other hand, this contrast with prior Fed picks could make Rieder even more attractive to Trump, who is not shy about busting norms.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
On Bridgerton, Penelope starts off as the somewhat shy and overlooked Featherington daughter.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The magic of the series comes in the complete buy-in of the contestants as well as Davies and Horne (Horne's character is a meek, annoying and sycophantic version of himself).—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
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But savings were meek, with the largest dip found in Stockton, off only 4% last year vs up 2% in 2024 and 36% over the previous four years.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hospitals were somewhat coy over their use of AI.—
Bob Herman,
STAT,
20 Jan. 2026
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What Youngkin will do next is unclear yet, and when pressed about aspiring to the White House, the outgoing governor remained coy.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Flynns’ pompous neighbor, Jim Doherty, a divorcé with a withdrawn, unpleasant son, encourages Catherine’s artistic rebirth.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
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Off-screen, Affleck has a slightly rougher star persona, while Damon’s can be a little more withdrawn and intellectual.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Whereas Bowen’s upbringing created a natural affinity with Proust, his work also struck a chord with contemporaries of more humble origin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
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For Newsom, a middle-aged man with a large, young family, a glow of professional attainment, and, most days, enough Oribe Crème in his hair to dress a good Crab Louie, the challenge has been to look both humble and concerned.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Seductively kittenish, Gardner lives up to her profane reputation.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2023
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Madelyn Cline went full-on Old Hollywood bombshell, kittenish liner, polished lengths, and all.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
15 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Next was a bashful grad student from Columbia’s engineering school who could not make eye contact.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
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If a good time is picking up steam, San Diegans aren’t bashful about jumping on a Happy Train’s caboose.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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