DEMUR Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'demur' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of demur are compunction , qualm , and scruple . While all these words mean "a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do," demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence. // accepted her decision without demur

Q: When would 'compunction' be a good substitute for 'demur'?

The words compunction and demur are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim. // had compunctions about lying

Q: In what contexts can 'qualm' take the place of 'demur'?

Although the words qualm and demur have much in common, qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment. // no qualms about plagiarizing

Q: When is it sensible to use 'scruple' instead of 'demur'?

The meanings of scruple and demur largely overlap; however, scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle. // no scruples against buying stolen goods

demur 1 of 2

noun

Definition of demur

as in objection

a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent we accepted his offer to pay for our dinners without demur

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

demur

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈmər

as in to object

to present an opposing opinion or argument don't hesitate to demur to the idea if you have any qualms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun demur differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of demur are compunction, qualm, and scruple. While all these words mean "a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do," demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.

accepted her decision without demur

When would compunction be a good substitute for demur?

The words compunction and demur are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.

had compunctions about lying

In what contexts can qualm take the place of demur?

Although the words qualm and demur have much in common, qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment.

no qualms about plagiarizing

When is it sensible to use scruple instead of demur?

The meanings of scruple and demur largely overlap; however, scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.

no scruples against buying stolen goods

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of demur

Verb

Drury has repeatedly demurred when asked about the timeline for a return to playoff contention. — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 When Short’s old chum Kasdan suggested making a documentary about him, the comedian demurred. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2026 Despite his eagerness to embrace AI, Tan demurred on sharing how OCBC will measure the return on its AI investment. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 1 July 2026 In other instances, when people have remarked on his literary leanings, Brooks has demurred. — Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for demur

Recent Examples of Synonyms for demur

Noun

However, he was removed from the 2022 ballot after an Illinois election board upheld an objection to his campaign.

— Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
The council said its objection is in response to Bocelli’s past support for Israel, including his participation in a 2010 fundraiser in Los Angeles for the Israel Defense Forces and a 2022 concert in Tel Aviv.

— Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of objection

Verb

In reality, both objects orbit the star in the same direction, just at different, changing speeds.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
The choice among block, file and object storage depends on factors such as application requirements, latency, data type, scale, accessibility, governance and the level of automation required.

— Paul Speciale, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of object

Noun

Where Brown has a point is that teams are using the full mid-level exception (MLE) less frequently under the current CBA.

— Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026
The measure extends those protections to public ways within 1,000 feet of court facilities, while preserving an exception for arrests made under a valid judicial warrant.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of exception

Verb

Student groups protesting since mid-September through school blockades have urged supporters to join them.

— SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
In ⁠France, high-school students have been protesting for weeks to demand more teachers and better facilities, a campaign that looks to be spreading to other population groups.

— Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of protest

Noun

In response, the watchdog group Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint Wednesday with the State Bar of California asking it to investigate whether Zacharia misrepresented herself as a lawyer in violation of California law.

— Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
In response, the watchdog group Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint Wednesday with the State Bar of California asking them to investigate whether Zacharia misrepresented herself as a lawyer in violation of California law.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of complaint

Browse Nearby Words

demounts

demur

demure

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Demur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demur. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of demur

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Challenging Standardized Test Words,...

'Demur' and 'Demure': Not to be Confused

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of demur

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to demur

Challenging Standardized Test Words,...

'Demur' and 'Demure': Not to be Confused

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes