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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The club has an owner in David Tepper who isn’t shy to take big swings.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2025
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The team’s 502 points marked just the second time in franchise history that Tampa Bay totaled over 500 points and was just nine points shy of matching the franchise-best mark of 511 points in 2021.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Each tree has promised itself right up from the ground, branches full of dying... Elegy Written In A City Cemetery Sina Queyras Somebody left the world last night, and last, and last, and last: wild is the glower of wind, and words too thin, too meek to shelter.—
Max Ufberg,
hazlitt.net,
10 Jan. 2025
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He was supposed to be a meek guy who doesn’t speak up.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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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Pettersson is more withdrawn, more cerebral, more sensitive and certainly not prone to confrontation by nature.—
Chris Johnston,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
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Introverts may become talkative, or extroverts quiet and withdrawn.—
Dr. Talia Varley,
Forbes,
16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Type 2 sits among some of the more humble and accessible classics.—
Trinity Francis,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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Even Bend feels changed, its population surging, its character shifting, the way humble towns do when they are discovered by outsiders.—
John Branch,
New York Times,
23 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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Gemma the rescue dog's bashful streak has propelled the video to over 4.7 million views on TikTok.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
9 Jan. 2025
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Tempranillo There’s nothing bashful about Triple-Chocolate Truffles, Peanut Butter Truffles, and Buckeyes.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Its modest storefront entrance gives way to a long tropical deck out back that overlooks an inlet on the canal that flows into the Intracoastal Waterway.—
John Oseid,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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More:Melania Trump sports dark, modest outfit for Inauguration ceremony What did Ivanka Trump wear to the inauguration?—
Sam Woodward,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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