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demur

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun demur differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of demur are compunction, qualm, and scruple. While all these words mean "a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do," demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.

accepted her decision without demur

When would compunction be a good substitute for demur?

The words compunction and demur are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.

had compunctions about lying

In what contexts can qualm take the place of demur?

Although the words qualm and demur have much in common, qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment.

no qualms about plagiarizing

When is it sensible to use scruple instead of demur?

The meanings of scruple and demur largely overlap; however, scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.

no scruples against buying stolen goods

Examples 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 demur
Verb
After winning gold in the vault final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles demurred about her L.A. plans. Danielle Jennings, People.com, 18 Nov. 2024 Trump has often demurred, calling his opponents the threat. Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 2 Nov. 2024 Clooney has demurred on the role his op-ed might’ve played in Biden’s decision. Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Sep. 2024 Even Netflix, after years of demurring, acknowledged that with a landmark ten year, $5 billion deal for WWE Raw early this year, its first big sports push. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for demur 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demur
Noun
  • The film has been criticized for trafficking in clichés and gender stereotypes, for equating transitioning with death, for presenting it as a kind of moral redemption, for making older cisgender audiences feel virtuous by endorsing it, among other objections.
    Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025
  • And appeals courts have upheld the gag order over Trump’s First Amendment objections.
    Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • During the campaign, Cordero-Stutz objected to cuts in the overtime dollars from the 2024 police budget and urged commissioners to beef up funds for new police academy classes.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
  • No objections: Not a single lawmaker protested the votes during the ceremony – marking the first time that not one congressional Democrat objected to certifying a Republican president-elect since 1988.
    Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Even the protections that preserve the park where de la Torre works contain exceptions for oil companies and Indigenous communities, and wildlife hunting is still rampant.
    Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
  • This level of funding is sure to be disruptive to the pro game; rumors are that dozens of PPA exclusive pros are inquiring about availability exceptions for this event already.
    Todd Boss, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But health insurers have protested, arguing the policy is akin to cutting seniors' health benefits.
    Maya Goldman, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The San Diego Rodeo was held for the first time at Petco Park last January — no rodeo had been held in the city since the 1980s before then — and it was protested by animal-rights advocates who called it cruel and abusive.
    Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The complaint, first reported by Front Office Sports, was filed last Friday.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The information in my complaint was from a long-ago completed investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Many residents at the town hall complained about feeling unsafe at their local Giant or Weis supermarkets, seeing panhandlers, loitering and graffiti in and around these areas.
    Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Some of the agency’s top Middle East diplomats complained in private that they were sidelined by Biden’s National Security Council.
    Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 15 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near demur

Cite this Entry

“Demur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demur. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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