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
Rich texture and a contrasting white trim manage to overhaul the classic form while still appearing demure.
—
Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 15 Mar. 2025
All of this is to say: A demure black look is hot again.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
An action group called the Women’s Political Council strategically portrayed her as a kindly seamstress and demure heroine — someone milquetoast enough for white Americans to get behind — and launched the call to boycott the bus system the instant she was arrested.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for demure
Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 15 Mar. 2025
All of this is to say: A demure black look is hot again.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
An action group called the Women’s Political Council strategically portrayed her as a kindly seamstress and demure heroine — someone milquetoast enough for white Americans to get behind — and launched the call to boycott the bus system the instant she was arrested.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
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Our analysis looking at US Treasury data shows foreign investors owned just shy of $17 trillion of US stocks as of Q2 2024, which is the latest available information.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Justin’s 10 birdies Sunday were one shy of the Masters single-round record, held by Anthony Kim (second round in 2009).—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Ahead of the clash with Bournemouth, Guardiola has said not even victory in the competition would salvage the poor showings in the Champions League and meek surrender of the Premier League title.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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Episodes 5 and 6 inverted the relationship between abrasive eldest boy Saxon and the meek baby of the family, Lochlan.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The members have been coy about the band’s future—sometimes dousing it with cold water, others alluding to informal meet-ups that may or may not lead to a return to the studio or stage.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2025
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For now, a variety of liberal organizations are keeping a low profile and being coy about their potential roster of challengers.—
Hanna Trudo,
The Hill,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
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Jade and John told Dateline both had noticed their daughter was acting a bit withdrawn in the period leading up to her disappearance.—
Veronica Fulton,
NBC News,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Like a cat with nine lives, the building has undergone multiple renovations since its humble start as a savonnerie, or soap factory, in 1630.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
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What began as a humble mom-and-pop grocer and butcher shop a century ago is now a well-greased sausage factory, selling its products to big-name distributors such as Shamrock Foods, US Foods and Sysco, which get them to major sporting venues such as Ball Arena and Coors Field.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Cher was bashful to be busted but then couldn’t help laughing out loud at the audacity.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Or maybe the movie’s stars are just feeling a bit bashful!—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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How modest, after all, safety’s promises, the ground beneath us not giving out, not even that.—
Maya C. Popa,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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That adds up to more than a modest, marginal performance boost.—
John Kannapell,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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