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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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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

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 demure There were Hmong women with a certain style that never hit the pop culture radar: Tough, streetwise, cocksure and confident, deeply devoted to their families, friends and culture, but not the least bit demure or deferential. Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 2 June 2025 While most footwear accessories that can be attached to laces tend to skew smaller, there’s nothing itty-bitty or demure about Coach’s take, seeing as how the vehicles measure over five inches in length and the dice clocks in at 1.75 inches for that metric. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 May 2025 The elegant bandeau style is timeless and versatile thanks to a multi-way strap that can be worn around the neck (like Moore did) to create a halter; or simply tied in a sweet bow for a demure strapless silhouette that eliminates tan lines altogether. Jennifer Chan, People.com, 26 May 2025 Mimi is quiet and demure, and therefore quite malleable by music execs. Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
  • Guests did not shy from donning some of the designer’s more out-there creations.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
  • Talk about Travis Scott starts just shy of the 1:30 mark.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Raj’s meek voice could faintly be heard against the jarring cacophony of honking horns, street performers, and the chatter of street vendors and passersby.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 24 June 2025
  • From small and relatively meek beginnings, proboscideans eventually evolved into herbivorous, elephantine giants with a broad array of different tusk arrangements and shapes.
    Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Where other editors would remain strategically coy.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • However, the cast has stayed coy about any specifics of the film.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.
    Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
  • People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.
    Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • These humble movie moments have now become the foundation of a trending dinner party format.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025
  • The company remains true to the humble ethic of hard work and friendly customer service embodied by the founding family.
    Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Madelyn Cline went full-on Old Hollywood bombshell, kittenish liner, polished lengths, and all.
    Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2023
  • With a basis of flawless skin—smoothing and hydration offered via Kylie Skin Face Moisturizer and Eye Cream—Phillips pulled a thick wing of black liner along Jenner's lids, a diminutive wing beneath the lower lashline providing a kittenish complement.
    Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2021
Adjective
  • There are dozens of people screaming his name and the young Ronaldo appears bashful and shy.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • But that hasn't stopped Chisholm, who is not bashful about adding chains and non-uniform colors to his look, from getting criticism.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Carter, 23 put up modest numbers in limited playing time, averaging 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.6 steals in 11.0 minutes per game.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025
  • ETFs are close cousins to mutual funds in that both are broad portfolios of stocks or bonds packaged and overseen by financial companies such as Vanguard, BlackRock or Fidelity that can be purchased for modest sums, often $1,000 or so.
    Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025

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“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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