1
as in coquettish
affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest
the previously demure maiden began making some surprisingly shocking remarks
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in shy
not comfortable around people
hesitant and demure, she hardly spoke a word at the banquet table
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demure
Chez Fifi is both a hot spot and a demure neighborhood restaurant, serving a classic French menu that draws crowds from uptown and downtown.
—
Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Each side has a demure split that makes the dress more breathable, especially when the sun is beating down hard.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2025
The demure Italian gent and his tiny-waisted mistress.
—Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025
While Indianapolis 500 fans have never been known for their demure behavior, those who watch the race from the Snake Pit have long had a reputation for being the rowdiest of the rowdy.
—Shari Rudavsky, IndyStar, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Each side has a demure split that makes the dress more breathable, especially when the sun is beating down hard.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2025
The demure Italian gent and his tiny-waisted mistress.
—Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025
While Indianapolis 500 fans have never been known for their demure behavior, those who watch the race from the Snake Pit have long had a reputation for being the rowdiest of the rowdy.
—Shari Rudavsky, IndyStar, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
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Leaving thousands of cases behind Former Judge Angela Munro received the email in April notifying her that her employment would be terminated and placed on administrative leave — just a few days shy of the end of her two-year probationary period.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
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And as the Phillies look for a solution, the manager won't be shy about his expectations for composure on the mound.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Subsequently, Pakistan also bargained down the new American tariffs on its goods from 29% to 19% — relatively meek next to India’s rate.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
14 Aug. 2025
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That 19% share is meek compared with where U.S. investors are most intensely busy – in states with small populations and tourism hooks.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Ellison was coy about his plans for Paramount+, but suggested that the company would be open to dealmaking.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
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There’s a lot of justified confidence here, given that Maas is legitimately a phenomenon, but why so coy?—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Unfortunately, further discussions were heated with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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This includes the humble Kerner, a grape that has Riesling-like qualities.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Corden had called Ayres shortly after the game just to congratulate the goalie — the host and performer saw a little of his own story as a humble middle-class son of a Bible salesman who’d put in the hard work and was touched by fate.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Aug. 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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Her brand of studied, bashful flightiness began to seem more passé than winkingly subversive.—
Mayukh Sen,
The Atlantic,
9 July 2025
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The next morning, Onley was bashful at hearing that praise.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The other two counties, Clinton located outside of Lafayette and Clark across the Ohio River from Louisville, referred inquiries about those partnerships to ICE, which has not responded with records requested by IndyStar. Marion County's Adult Detention Center has more modest numbers.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
26 Aug. 2025
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Fourth-grade average reading scores in Milwaukee dropped from 196 in 2009 to 179 in 2024, while peer districts have shown modest gains.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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