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
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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
The first half concerned the women of their parents’ generation—demure, without opinions, bright-skinned beauties lounging on daybeds with nothing to say, like pampered pets.
—
Kanak Kapur, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025
Like most cultural happenings, brat catalyzed a dialogue in the zeitgeist that gave rise to another culture-defining moment, the demure meme.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Very demure, very mindful (August 2) @joolieannie #fyp #demure @OAKCHA @Paul | Fragrance Influencer
♬ original sound - Jools Lebron
The behavior of someone not like you other girls.
—Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
When Do Da-hae (The 8 Show’s Chun Woo-hee), a seemingly demure con artist with designs on the Bok’s riches, starts to flirt with him, a struggling Gwi-ju is too depressed to care.
—Kayti Burt, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demure 
Kanak Kapur, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025
Like most cultural happenings, brat catalyzed a dialogue in the zeitgeist that gave rise to another culture-defining moment, the demure meme.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Very demure, very mindful (August 2) @joolieannie #fyp #demure @OAKCHA @Paul | Fragrance Influencer
♬ original sound - Jools Lebron
The behavior of someone not like you other girls.
—Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
When Do Da-hae (The 8 Show’s Chun Woo-hee), a seemingly demure con artist with designs on the Bok’s riches, starts to flirt with him, a struggling Gwi-ju is too depressed to care.
—Kayti Burt, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demure
Adjective
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That's shy of the monthly average for payroll gains of 180,000 in 2024 and 227,000 jobs added in November, pending any revisions.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
10 Jan. 2025
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Zoom in: In Colorado, Democrats hold all state constitutional offices, 43 of 65 seats in the House and 23 of 35 seats in the Senate, just shy of supermajorities in each chamber.—
Alayna Alvarez,
Axios,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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He was supposed to be a meek guy who doesn’t speak up.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Gary starts the film as a meek, somewhat nerdy college professor, but circumstances quickly force him into the uncomfortable position of becoming an undercover police informant.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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His agent prob being quite coy and feeding the media to improve terms.—
Carl Anka,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
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Skeleton Crew plays a bit coy with which elements of Episodes IV through VI first became myth, then product.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Pettersson is more withdrawn, more cerebral, more sensitive and certainly not prone to confrontation by nature.—
Chris Johnston,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
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Introverts may become talkative, or extroverts quiet and withdrawn.—
Dr. Talia Varley,
Forbes,
16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The Bunny Museum began as a humble endeavor back in 1998.—
Maxwell Williams,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2025
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Listen to this article Loading your audio article All five past, present and future presidents gathered Thursday at an inspirational state funeral for Jimmy Carter, the famously folksy peanut farmer who rose from humble beginnings in rural Georgia to become the 39th commander-in-chief.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 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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Tempranillo There’s nothing bashful about Triple-Chocolate Truffles, Peanut Butter Truffles, and Buckeyes.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Dec. 2024
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On a team of superstars, Salaam was a bashful giant, deferential and unselfish to the last.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The year-on-year increases at each major are more modest, usually between 10 and 12 percent, but that percentage of tournament revenue remains steadfast, if not entirely immovable.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
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In the bond market, which has been the bigger focus for Wall Street recently, the moves were also more modest after the last month’s charge higher for yields.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Demure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demure. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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