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
With regularity, Stewart gives the French luxury brand’s demure silhouettes and ultrafeminine fabrics a fresh perspective by actively pushing against them with masculine styling, punk haircuts, and an endless devotion to visible or nonexistent lingerie.
—
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 16 May 2025
The original island, a demure slab of white, met code but failed on charisma.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Although prospective jurors were not at court, Diddy kept up his demure outfit and demeanor.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 9 May 2025
The skirt also has a demure heart pattern that looks like pretty polka-dots from far away — a classic pattern that always sees the light of day in summer.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 16 May 2025
The original island, a demure slab of white, met code but failed on charisma.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Although prospective jurors were not at court, Diddy kept up his demure outfit and demeanor.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 9 May 2025
The skirt also has a demure heart pattern that looks like pretty polka-dots from far away — a classic pattern that always sees the light of day in summer.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
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Kardashian hasn't been shy about linking her career in law to Elle Woods since her journey began.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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Read More: Why Trump and South Africa Are at Odds American officials were not shy about their racial biases.—
Time,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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According to the latest report from L.A.’s film office, production days on location decreased more than 22 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared with an already meek period in 2024.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2025
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Democrats, unable either to diagnose or to admit to their own failings, measured their victories in the meekest of triumphs, and seemed to have lost all sense of purpose, direction, and proportion.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Tim Lammers The maybe-sort of answer is the latest in the coy responses the creative collaborators have given for months.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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The Kremlin had been coy on whether the Russian president would attend the talks, with Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, sidestepping reporters’ questions on the topic.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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My main criticism is its withdrawn camera, which is set too far away from the action in most stages.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
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Parents watch as their once-curious children become withdrawn, dreading school instead of embracing it.—
Claudia Nachtigal,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Improbably located right across the street from their humble abode is the upscale manse inhabited by the Falconers, a rich couple (Katherine Waterson, Chris Klein) who’ve raised only child Tiffany (Fina Strazza) to be a particularly stinging WASP.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
23 May 2025
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Each pits a young heroine of humble means against the formidable, possibly sinister lady of the estate; this time, that quintessential Nicole Kidman role is played by a serenely terrifying Julianne Moore.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
22 May 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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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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Those modest contracts won’t affect the Giants’ cap space immediately, since their cap hits fall below the team’s 51 most expensive contracts.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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The modest brick home, at just a bit over 1,000 square feet, was where Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, grew up.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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