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
Many of the effortless looks were anchored with fluid pencil skirts offered in an array of textures, from liquid-looking silk to textural fringes and micro beads, the latter conjuring a demure flapper girl élan.
—
WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
And while others may have been more demure in victory, Chalamet instead got honest and showed competitive fire in his acceptance speech.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Demi Moore stunned in a black drop-waist leather gown from Bottega Veneta’s Summer 2025 collection, while fellow nominee Zoe Saldaña looked elegant in a demure one-sleeve velvet Saint Laurent gown.
—Oscar Holland, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025
Rather, a roster of black tailoring reflected a demure Di on personal business, and certainly not pulling off a press stunt.
—Alice Newbold, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
And while others may have been more demure in victory, Chalamet instead got honest and showed competitive fire in his acceptance speech.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Demi Moore stunned in a black drop-waist leather gown from Bottega Veneta’s Summer 2025 collection, while fellow nominee Zoe Saldaña looked elegant in a demure one-sleeve velvet Saint Laurent gown.
—Oscar Holland, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025
Rather, a roster of black tailoring reflected a demure Di on personal business, and certainly not pulling off a press stunt.
—Alice Newbold, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
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And yet Francis has never been shy about showing his frailty, age or infirmities in ways that seem unthinkable for public figures for whom any sign of fragility can threaten their authority and undermine their agenda.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2025
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Farrah Abraham is a big fan of plastic surgery, and she’s never been shy about sharing the work she’s gotten done over the years.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Old Lady have underperformed for much of the campaign, and their meek exit from the Champions League at the hands of PSV Eindhoven increased the scrutiny on Motta, who’s only been in the job since last June.—
Emmet Gates,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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The column was, if anything, meek to the point of embarrassing.—
Ruth Marcus,
The New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Gilded Age actress was coy, however, when asked about the possibility of a third installment.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Kitty and Lydia are drunk, Mrs. Bennett is spilling things on people, Mary—the other Bennett daughter—is playing the piano terribly, and Jane is being a little too coy around Bingley.—
Marley Marius,
Vogue,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Nicky Jam has released his first project since facing stark backlash for his (withdrawn) endorsement of Donald Trump.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
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Children may express anxiety by becoming distant, withdrawn, agitated, upset, or avoiding social contact.8 4.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Sometimes those simple, humble, short-on-ingredients dishes are some of our most cherished.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
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Articulate yet humble in interviews, Coleman is the ultimate team player on the court and the biggest supporter of his teammates off it.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 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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While maybe not made for the bashful, the floor-to-ceiling glass doors are incredible at expanding the space—and enjoying every last drop of water from the shower.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Jan. 2025
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Smith’s ambition to present a no-frills establishment is no indication of a bashful pedigree.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Detroit Free Press,
6 Mar. 2024
Adjective
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Because of its modest scale and deliberately slow pace of growth, referrals to the National Emergency Child Care Network are by word of mouth.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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The Most Popular Menu Items At first, the course’s modest menu was built out of necessity.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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