demure

adjective

di-ˈmyu̇r How to pronounce demure (audio)
Definition of demurenext
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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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

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 demure Cole, 30, offset her Elie Saab Haute Couture piece with a more demure look, opting for a pair of deep brown trousers with a matching suit jacket. — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026 While she’s been spotted with bolder manicures during her Life of a Showgirl era—from chunky French tips to an orange sparkling cinnamon set—this latest look is a bit more demure. — Grace McCarty, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2026 Mattieu Blazy's latest for the Parisian House is simultaneously demure and completely see-through in his couture debut. — Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026 This sensibility is wonderfully demure (to use the mot du jour) and understated, letting the true star—the sweeping views of Portofino Bay, glimpsed through the doors to the balconies—really shine. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
  1. coquettish
  2. shy
  3. meek
  4. coy
  5. withdrawn
  6. humble
  7. kittenish
  8. bashful
Adjective
  • For the slightly more modest, there’s lace, crochet, and semisheer fabrics that play a coquettish reveal/conceal game à la the scrim in Unzipped.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The hero, or antihero, of the story is Ichabod Crane, a rather ridiculous-looking schoolmaster who has set his cap for Katrina Van Tassel, the beautiful, coquettish daughter of a wealthy Dutch farmer.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of coquettish
Adjective
  • Murders were ‘ice cold’ On the day of the murders, Sierra had joined the family on a shopping outing to Mall of the Americas to purchase a birthday gift for Daniela, who was days shy of turning 4.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The French 10-year bond yield jumped more than 10 basis points, taking it just shy of its highest level in decades.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of shy
Adjective
  • Moore plays Mona, a meek, thoroughly unseen wife and mother who impulsively decides to audition for a community theater musical despite having no experience.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The visitors were meek and the poorest performers of the four opponents, but how much of that is down to the way Leeds played?
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of meek
Adjective
  • Both Coogler and Hulu are being coy about how this new series will fit into the continuity of the original show.
    — Ian Stokes, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Those albums treated homecoming as a means of rebirth and reclamation; creole culture moves on the same wavelength but is more coy about the references.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of coy
Adjective
  • In an era of ball-to-feet No 10s and withdrawn strikers, Welbeck stays high up the pitch, runs the channels and occupies defenders.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The withdrawn earnings are taxed as ordinary income, the Treasury said.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Definition of withdrawn
Adjective
  • The 23-year-old Texas product, whom the Packers took in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, caught six passes from quarterback Jordan Love for a career-high 123 yards, including a 50-yard snag to help Green Bay humble the Bears.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The humble price tag has long served as a common measure of value for consumers.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of humble
Adjective
  • Simply brushing them out of your eyes can feel like a coquettish, kittenish gesture!
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Seductively kittenish, Gardner lives up to her profane reputation.
    — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2023
Definition of kittenish
Adjective
  • Each loving gesture and bashful smile from his aspiring girlfriend Nikki is punctuated by dread, every minute tense and unnerving as her fixation slowly takes a dark turn.
    — Mariam Bagdady, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Kiwi sensibility, like the flightless kiwi bird, is funny, bashful, and a bit forlorn.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of bashful

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demure
demurely
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Cite this Entry

“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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