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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demure
Talented, driven, and blessed with a fashion sense entirely her own, the mindful, demure star of Ugly Betty held her own in a high-pressure job, surrounded by catty co-workers eager to tear her down.
—
Danny Horn, EW.com, 24 Jan. 2025
The look, in fact, was Melania Trump through and through—severe and demure.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2025
This one leans into the coquette, demure and old money trends that are only continuing to grow and evolve into 2025.
—Elle Turner, Glamour, 10 Jan. 2025
Despite being such a strong symbol, the turtle was not present to accept the National Board of Review Award for Best Ensemble alongside its cast-mates John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, and the demure Fiennes.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Danny Horn, EW.com, 24 Jan. 2025
The look, in fact, was Melania Trump through and through—severe and demure.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2025
This one leans into the coquette, demure and old money trends that are only continuing to grow and evolve into 2025.
—Elle Turner, Glamour, 10 Jan. 2025
Despite being such a strong symbol, the turtle was not present to accept the National Board of Review Award for Best Ensemble alongside its cast-mates John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, and the demure Fiennes.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
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And some shy away from expressing controversial takes — even anonymously.—
James Mirtle,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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They may be drawn to partners who provide excitement but shy away from relationships that require effort, compromise or emotional depth.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Small mercies are welcome when the losses are this meek.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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Sometimes, young players of his profile are quite meek — apologetic for their ability, even.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
The Athletic,
27 July 2024
Adjective
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The ‘angst’ of racing in the Daytona 500 for Kyle Busch Busch hasn’t been coy about his troubles in Daytona 500s of the past.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2025
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The rising star, who collaborated with Beyoncé on Cowboy Carter and joined her for her NFL Christmas Day halftime show, has been notably coy about his potential involvement.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Solitary, eccentric, shrouded in a mystical melancholy, Joakim fights for his farm and leads a withdrawn life, with only his pets and a neighbor for company; a Slovak immigrant who also lives ostracized, as an outsider.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
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Hong’s withdrawn gaze is interrupted by sudden movements, like pans across space and crash zooms into ongoing conversations.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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By the time Napoleon invaded Egypt, in 1798, Alexandria had become a humble Ottoman port.—
Hannah Edgar,
ARTnews.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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Instead, Ram is using the humble 3.6 L Pentastar V6.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
27 Feb. 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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McNally is professionally bashful about such associations.—
Matthew Schneier,
Vulture,
29 Jan. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Lowe’s said full-year total sales could see modest growth.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
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Though Hong Kong’s economy grew at a modest pace of 2.5% in 2024, China’s stimulus measures lifted investor sentiment, driving up the benchmark Hang Seng index by more than a third from a year ago.—
Jane Ho,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to demure
Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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