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
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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Example Sentences
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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
-
That’s just shy of the $15 million to $25 million that box office analysts had predicted.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Once approached by the director, the women were hardly camera-shy.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
-
What threatened to be a meek, straight-sets exit for the 13th seed went full-metal crazy on match point down when Bonzi was interrupted from serving it out after a photographer absent-mindedly walked onto the court.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Wang isn’t coy about Meta’s ambitions.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
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Bassetti was also coy when asked the same question.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
18 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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Wilco’s prolific frontman has described his new triple LP as his humble effort to push back against the overwhelming darkness of life in the 2020s.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Berkus uses a special ceramic jar to boost the storage of something as humble as Q-tips, for example.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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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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
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Conrad is gorgeous yet bashful.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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