demur
1 of 2verb
de·mur di-ˈmər 
demurred; demurring
intransitive verb
1
: to take exception : object —often used with to or at
it would seem hazardous to demur to a proposition which is so widely accepted
Samuel Alexander
Samuel Alexander2
law : to file a demurrer
3
archaic : delay, hesitate
demur
2 of 2noun
1
: the act or an instance of objecting : protest
rather than be brought into court he will pay without demur G. B. Shaw
G. B. Shaw2
: hesitation (as in doing or accepting) usually based on doubt of the acceptability of something offered or proposed
after some delay and demur, the door grudgingly turned on its hinges Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Synonyms
Verb
- except
- expostulate
- kick
- object
- protest
- remonstrate (with)
Noun
- challenge
- complaint
- demurral
- demurrer
- difficulty
- exception
- expostulation
- fuss
- kick
- objection
- protest
- question
- remonstrance
- stink
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb She suggested that he would win easily, but he demurred, saying he expected the election to be close. don't hesitate to demur to the idea if you have any qualms Noun we accepted his offer to pay for our dinners without demur
Recent Examples on the Web Michael Lynch, Forbes, 15 July 2022 When his team began to trail on the scoreboard, a situation in which other coaches would call a time out to troubleshoot, Jackson tended to demur. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 May 2022 Other people can do that for us, but even then our response to it must be to graciously demur. Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2022 Some Jews in New York also demur from focusing Jewish attention and energy on combating hate. Ben Sales, sun-sentinel.com, 14 Sep. 2021 Other experts demur—Joseph Uscinski, who researches QAnon, believes that less than 5 percent of Americans support violence against the government. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2020 But when asked who is at fault for the current situation, Abele demurred. Molly Beck, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2020 In states without stay-at-home orders, Americans celebrate freedom as death toll climbsIn the Trump administration's coronavirus task force briefings, Trump and task force leaders have demurred on issuing a national stay-at-home order. Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2020 Biden, a former two-term vice president, however, demurred to local officials. Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2020 Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2022 Though the staff is quick to demur when asked about their celebrity clientele, my stay happens to coincide with that of a former boy band member and his actor wife. Ella Riley-adams, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2022 To demur when called upon to defend that home from conquest is to willingly turn oneself into an exile. Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 8 Mar. 2022 In the final shot, Murray gives the camera a close-lipped grin that would make the Joker and the Cheshire Cat demur. Sarah Spellings, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2022 Trump has repeatedly griped to senators who visit about McConnell, asking who could be a new Senate Republican leader; many demur or just allow Trump to rant, one adviser said. Author: Ashley Parker, Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, 8 May 2021 Asked to reveal a favorite garden moment, Anderson prefers to demur. Clint Clemens, Town & Country, 30 Apr. 2021 That would be Sinead Flanagan, a 27-year-old junior doctor, with dark hair and a demur, effervescent smile. David Segal, New York Times, 27 Sep. 2019 When someone asks Mihalko if Chevy thinks of the new Blazer as the Camaro of crossovers, the humble engineer demurs. Andrew Moseman, Popular Mechanics, 4 Feb. 2019 See More
Verb
In theory, the President will demur, preferring a long-term goal of de-emphasizing fossil fuel use and investment—no doubt backtracking when prices rise. Michael Lynch, Forbes, 15 July 2022 When his team began to trail on the scoreboard, a situation in which other coaches would call a time out to troubleshoot, Jackson tended to demur. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 May 2022 Other people can do that for us, but even then our response to it must be to graciously demur. Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2022 Some Jews in New York also demur from focusing Jewish attention and energy on combating hate. Ben Sales, sun-sentinel.com, 14 Sep. 2021 Other experts demur—Joseph Uscinski, who researches QAnon, believes that less than 5 percent of Americans support violence against the government. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2020 But when asked who is at fault for the current situation, Abele demurred. Molly Beck, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2020 In states without stay-at-home orders, Americans celebrate freedom as death toll climbsIn the Trump administration's coronavirus task force briefings, Trump and task force leaders have demurred on issuing a national stay-at-home order. Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2020 Biden, a former two-term vice president, however, demurred to local officials. Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2020 Noun
Officials in Beverly Hills would be happy to see the county demur on a mask mandate. Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2022 Though the staff is quick to demur when asked about their celebrity clientele, my stay happens to coincide with that of a former boy band member and his actor wife. Ella Riley-adams, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2022 To demur when called upon to defend that home from conquest is to willingly turn oneself into an exile. Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 8 Mar. 2022 In the final shot, Murray gives the camera a close-lipped grin that would make the Joker and the Cheshire Cat demur. Sarah Spellings, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2022 Trump has repeatedly griped to senators who visit about McConnell, asking who could be a new Senate Republican leader; many demur or just allow Trump to rant, one adviser said. Author: Ashley Parker, Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, 8 May 2021 Asked to reveal a favorite garden moment, Anderson prefers to demur. Clint Clemens, Town & Country, 30 Apr. 2021 That would be Sinead Flanagan, a 27-year-old junior doctor, with dark hair and a demur, effervescent smile. David Segal, New York Times, 27 Sep. 2019 When someone asks Mihalko if Chevy thinks of the new Blazer as the Camaro of crossovers, the humble engineer demurs. Andrew Moseman, Popular Mechanics, 4 Feb. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English demuren, demeren to linger, from Anglo-French demurer, demoerer, from Latin demorari, from de- + morari to linger, from mora delay — more at mora
First Known Use
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Legal Definition
demur
intransitive verb
de·mur di-ˈmər
demurred; demurring
: to interpose a demurrer
demur to the declaration
demur 1 of 2
noun
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
- objection
- exception
- complaint
- protest
- question
- demurral
- remonstrance
- criticism
- expostulation
- challenge
- demurrer
- fuss
- doubt
- cavil
- suspicion
- difficulty
- stink
- compunction
- dispute
- dissent
- quibble
- quarrel
- reluctance
- censure
- scruple
- skepticism
- qualm
- squabble
- kick
- misgiving
- misunderstanding
- uncertainty
- unwillingness
- argument
- static
- disobedience
- distrust
- debate
- mistrust
- unease
- dubiety
- defiance
- rebellion
- incertitude
- uneasiness
- reservation
- niggle
- indetermination
- misdoubt
- dubitation
- mistrustfulness
- conflict
- distrustfulness
- hassle
- qualmishness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- willingness
- approval
- sanction
- agreement
- acceptance
- assent
- acquiescence
- compliance
- obedience
demur
2 of 2verb
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
- object
- protest
- complain
- expostulate
- except
- whine
- cavil
- kick
- dare
- take exception
- take issue
- balk
- quarrel
- quibble
- criticize
- murmur
- moan
- debate
- mutter
- dispute
- grumble
- remonstrate (with)
- repine
- challenge
- conflict
- squabble
- squawk
- keen
- defy
- wrangle
- bellyache
- holler
- stick
- bleat
- fight
- scream
- nag
- yowl
- whimper
- grouse
- wail
- yammer
- rebel
- denounce
- grizzle
- bitch
- gripe
- grouch
- disobey
- caterwaul
- growl
- beef
- censure
- maunder
- yawp
- whinge
- hassle
- fuss
- squeal
- grump
- gag
- carp
- withstand
- demonstrate
- croak
- crab
- yaup
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approve
- accept
- agree
- sanction
- comply
- acquiesce
- follow
- obey
- accede
- observe
- conform
- defend
- adhere
- assent
- advocate
- support
- mind
- maintain
- sustain
- commend
- applaud
- uphold
- cheer
- champion
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
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