demur 1 of 2

demur

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun demur differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of demur are compunction, qualm, and scruple. While all these words mean "a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do," demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.

accepted her decision without demur

When would compunction be a good substitute for demur?

The words compunction and demur are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.

had compunctions about lying

In what contexts can qualm take the place of demur?

Although the words qualm and demur have much in common, qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment.

no qualms about plagiarizing

When is it sensible to use scruple instead of demur?

The meanings of scruple and demur largely overlap; however, scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.

no scruples against buying stolen goods

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demur
Verb
Ronson politely demurred the money twice until Combs barked at him with an expletive to take the money. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025 But Florida’s Republican lawmakers have demurred. Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025 China, for its part, has repeatedly demurred, preferring to extract more concessions from Moscow instead. Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported that Simmons demurred on a one-year contract offer from New York earlier this offseason. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demur
Noun
  • And by Tuesday afternoon, Texas National Guard troops had arrived at a training center outside of Chicago — despite the vehement objections of local leaders, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
  • But these objections miss the point.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The iPhone also has the ability to decipher what objects, people or pets are in photographs taken by users.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
  • To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The previous head-coaching exception window was 30 days which began the day after the coaching change.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Fortunately, this one from Kate Spade is the exception.
    Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Bourne was also protesting policies that allow males in girls locker rooms.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Retrain employees on chemical hazards and ways to protest themselves.
    Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Kidman's complaint, obtained by The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, confirmed the two are living in separate Nashville homes.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The grand jury indictment supersedes the criminal complaint and allows the criminal case to skip the preliminary hearing phase and move toward a trial.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some Russians already have complained about Max’s functionality (and mocked VK’s semi-cheesy, semi-effective enlistment of rappers, comedians, and influencers to promote it).
    Justin Sherman, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Don’t-complain, just-eat-your-meal type people.
    Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Demur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demur. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

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