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
Other notable terms on Merriam-Webster’s 2024 list According to Merriam-Webster, other terms that were heavily searched for in 2024 include totality, demure and more.
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Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
For a cute, demure look, softly cup or graze your hands around your face.
—Margaret Cirino, NPR, 6 Dec. 2024
The first half concerned the women of their parents’ generation—demure, without opinions, bright-skinned beauties lounging on daybeds with nothing to say, like pampered pets.
—Kanak Kapur, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025
Like most cultural happenings, brat catalyzed a dialogue in the zeitgeist that gave rise to another culture-defining moment, the demure meme.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demure 
Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
For a cute, demure look, softly cup or graze your hands around your face.
—Margaret Cirino, NPR, 6 Dec. 2024
The first half concerned the women of their parents’ generation—demure, without opinions, bright-skinned beauties lounging on daybeds with nothing to say, like pampered pets.
—Kanak Kapur, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025
Like most cultural happenings, brat catalyzed a dialogue in the zeitgeist that gave rise to another culture-defining moment, the demure meme.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Asked if Democrats were trying to incite that clash, Bera was coy.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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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
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Pettersson is more withdrawn, more cerebral, more sensitive and certainly not prone to confrontation by nature.—
Chris Johnston,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Amy Schumer isn't just humble about her fame, she's shocked by it.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The price of bitcoin was last lower by 3%, according to Coin Metrics, a modest loss compared to the broader crypto market.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
2 Feb. 2025
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Most of these items were modest in size, and many appeared to be chunks of tiles from Starship's heat shield.—
Stephen Clark,
Ars Technica,
1 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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