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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shy
not comfortable around people
hesitant and demure, she hardly spoke a word at the banquet table
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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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Recent Examples of demure
Photo: Hayley Ellen Day A more demure use of Moroccan tile.
—
Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 22 Jan. 2025
Jackets were demure and covered up and pencil skirts added a ’80s look to silhouettes.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025
Only these days, her choice of fancy footwear is a little more demure.
—Tim Chan, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
That's why 2025 should be your year of very demure, very mindful travel.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 22 Jan. 2025
Jackets were demure and covered up and pencil skirts added a ’80s look to silhouettes.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025
Only these days, her choice of fancy footwear is a little more demure.
—Tim Chan, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
That's why 2025 should be your year of very demure, very mindful travel.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
-
By the end of regulation, Nylander had played only 15.5 minutes, a smidge less than Tavares, who was just shy of 16.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Mostly cloudy skies will keep temperatures around 65 degrees in the metro Saturday, which is just a few degrees shy of the average of 68 for this time of year.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Complacency, cowardice and meek self-preservation won’t do here and now.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Ahead of the clash with Bournemouth, Guardiola has said not even victory in the competition would salvage the poor showings in the Champions League and meek surrender of the Premier League title.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Mbatha-Raw and Jackson-Cohen were both coy when asked about Sophie and James’ future.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Paris is the coy Daris (Arya Grace Gaston), and the doomed hero Achilles has become the grim-faced Trojan running back Keeley (Erin Treadway, in boxer braids and golden work boots), who refuses to take the field after Johnny utters a fatal insult.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Its influence on the withdrawn protagonist, Jamie (played by Owen Cooper), is largely implied.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This match was brimming with goals and officiating controversy, and on the whole, the weekend was a humble reminder to everyone who dared question the chaos quotient in this league: The limit does not exist.—
Emily Olsen,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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Amidst heated debate about what sneaker will take the Adidas Sambas’ crown for shoe du jour, Richie Grainge offered up the humble Reebok.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Madelyn Cline went full-on Old Hollywood bombshell, kittenish liner, polished lengths, and all.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
15 Jan. 2023
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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
-
Cher was bashful to be busted but then couldn’t help laughing out loud at the audacity.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Or maybe the movie’s stars are just feeling a bit bashful!—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Consensus estimates point to modest nonfarm payroll growth of 130,000 in April and the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.2%.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
-
The dress featured long sleeves and a modest neckline, with sheer portions visible at the sleeves and the lower part of the dress.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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