Meaning

Chiefly followed by to, and sometimes by at or on: to object or be reluctant; to balk, to take exception..

Definitions by Sense

1. Chiefly followed by to, and sometimes by at or on: to object or be reluctant; to balk, to take exception.
2. To submit a demurrer (“motion by a party to a legal action for the immediate or summary judgment of the court on the question of whether, assuming the truth of the matter alleged by the opposite party, it is sufficient in law to sustain the action or defence, and hence whether the party bringing the motion is required to answer or proceed further”).
3. To endure, to last.
4. To linger, to tarry.
5. To remain, to stay.
6. To suspend judgment or proceedings because of a difficulty or doubt; to put off the conclusion or determination of a matter; to delay, to hesitate, to pause.
7. To have doubts; to be doubtful.
8. Followed by upon: to be captivated or fixated; to dwell on, to linger.

Example Sentences

I demur to that statement.

The personnel demurred at the management’s new scheme.

The Sultan […] deſiring him novv to ratifie them, and in demonſtration thereof to give his hand to the Kings Embaſſadours. The Caliph demurred hereat, as counting ſuch a geſture a diminution to his State; […]

My proceſs vvas alvvays very ſimple—in their younger days, 'tvvas 'Jack, do this;'—if he demur'd—I knock'd him dovvn—and if he grumbled at that—I alvvays ſent him out of the room.

What! thou demurrest? I tell thee I'll be his surety, and thou hast my warrant.

Thou still demurrest? Read once more / The lines obnoxious to thy score, / And sure I am thou'lt find / There's not a passage in the book / Where, lesson'd thus, thou mayst not look, / Nor leave thy scrawls behind.

Work with my hands out of doors was the only thing I felt I could bear to-day. It wasn't the first time, I reflected, that peace has been found among cabbages. Antoine demurred, of course, but did at last consent to let me pick red currants.

"I'm a fine human being — caring, supportive...." I had always thought you were supposed to wait for others to point those things out. And then you were supposed to demur.

Word Forms

• demurs
• demurring
• demurred
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• demur
• demurrest
• demurredst
• demurreth
• -

Synonyms for demur

Related Words

When Should You Use Demur?

Use demur when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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