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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Compared with Sanchez’s getup, the buttoned-up Adam Lippes coat and wide-brimmed Eric Javits hat worn by Melania Trump to the Inauguration were tasteful, even demure. Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2025 TikTok users struggled to be demure (another viral TikTok trend) but, in the end, many of them didn’t stick around for the Supreme Court to rule or for the federal ban to take effect. Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025 The avant-garde silhouette was the perfect mixture of demure yet eye-catching—and rebuked the idea that directors cannot have as much fun with fashion as their leading stars. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2025 This maid was masking something in her demure and mindful way. Pat Saperstein, Variety, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for demure 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
  • Ovechkin began this season with 853 goals — 41 shy of Gretzky’s 894 — and got off to a great start before missing time with an injury in December and slowing down a bit since his return.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Powell, left off the initial All-Star reserves list despite averaging a team-high 24 points per game on 49.4% shooting, said what Harden does with a basketball is just shy of magical for the Clippers (27-20), who currently are sixth in the Western Conference.
    Janis Carr, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Flip-up covers on the front and rear boxes open up a pair of rather meek storage areas for carrying your shopping bags around, and the rear cover makes a small concession to comfort, revealing a half-inch thick seat pad when it's fully flipped open.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2025
  • The evil John Paul was dead, killed not by one of his four sisters-in-law — each of whom had a compelling motive to commit murder — but by his seemingly meek wife, Grace, fed up by years of abusive behavior.
    Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • From fairly early on, Paradise puts its cards on the table and, from there, isn’t really coy at all.
    Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Asked if Democrats were trying to incite that clash, Bera was coy.
    Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The expressions on these youthful figures are intent and heartfelt: obedient, frightened, absorbed, wary, withdrawn, cruel, proud, sly, or shy.
    Michael Bracewell, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
  • Pettersson is more withdrawn, more cerebral, more sensitive and certainly not prone to confrontation by nature.
    Chris Johnston, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Liang Wenfeng hires young people and bookworms for his engineering team, and is described as a humble and nerdy leader.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Known for its interactive blend of music, art and theatrics performed by three bald, blue men, Blue Man Group has become a hit with tourists and locals alike since its humble beginnings as street theater performed by creators Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton.
    Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 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
  • Some of the folks were happy to have their pictures taken, while others were more bashful and/or private, preferring that only their watch be photographed.
    Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2024
  • Everyone in Rebuilding is sincere, honest and caring, and nothing is overplayed — including the bashful love that blossoms between Dusty and Callie-Rose and is the engine of the story.
    Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
  • The forecast for Saturday night is more modest—but there is still a chance, weather permitting, of catching the northern lights in parts of Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Meanwhile, in Glendale, Ariz., where Hoyer’s friend Chris Getz is running the show, the hope for the White Sox is much more modest.
    Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025

Podcast

Thesaurus Entries Near demure

Cite this Entry

“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on demure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!