1
as in coquettish
affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest
the previously demure maiden began making some surprisingly shocking remarks
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in shy
not comfortable around people
hesitant and demure, she hardly spoke a word at the banquet table
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of demure
One that’s been on my radar lately is trad wife thrillers, especially as social media feeds are filled with demure baking videos, homeschooling tips and picturesque domestic life.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 21 Aug. 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
This one is easy to spot and grab among other items, demure enough for modest settings, forgiving of cosmetic marks, and generally just a lovely thing to throw on.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2025
The robots that share our public spaces today are so demure.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 21 Aug. 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
This one is easy to spot and grab among other items, demure enough for modest settings, forgiving of cosmetic marks, and generally just a lovely thing to throw on.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2025
The robots that share our public spaces today are so demure.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
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After all, when coquettish Venus journeys through this methodical and down-to-earth sign, the focus shifts from grand gestures and displays of affection (Leo) to the way someone shows up in your day-to-day life (Virgo).—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
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Nab this charming bag, which comes in all sorts of coquettish florals and prints that flawlessly fit the aesthetic.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The move would raise total duties on imports from China to around 130% – effectively a trade embargo and just shy of the 145% peak reached at the height of the trade war this spring.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The 3-3 Cougs fell a few seconds shy of being able to attempt a long field goal at the whistle.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Pittsburgh averaged a meek 2.5 yards per carry, while the Pats chugged along at 3.4 yards on runs excluding Maye scrambles.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Doherty, 30, is playing meek flower shop assistant Seymour in the treasured musical, about a strange and unusual plant that feeds only on human flesh and blood.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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When asked whether that request sparked their feud, the 56-year-old remained coy.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Wang isn’t coy about Meta’s ambitions.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Established by friends and opticians Graham Cutler and Tony Gross in 1969, the duo’s firm quickly exploded in popularity well beyond its humble premises at 16 Knightsbridge Green.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
7 Oct. 2025
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The humble soybean has become a flashpoint in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies after Beijing ceased all purchases from the US.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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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At times, the new mom gets bashful about the attention she’s received since returning to the team.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
3 Oct. 2025
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Livestreaming isn’t the same as actually being there and seeing the fabric flow, the textures, the audience reaction and the bashful designer with their head down, forced onto the runway at the end of each show.—
Nadja Sayej,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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