demur
C2formal
Definition
Meaning
to raise objections or show reluctance.
A polite refusal; a mild objection or show of hesitation, especially on grounds of conscience or principle. Can also refer to a legal objection in court proceedings.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb implies polite, often principled, hesitation rather than outright, angry refusal. The noun form is less common. In legal contexts, it is a formal objection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British English, especially in formal writing. The phrase 'without demur' is a set phrase in both varieties.
Connotations
Both varieties share formal, slightly old-fashioned connotations.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but marginally higher in British English corpora.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
demur at somethingdemur from doing somethingdemur (that) + clauseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “without demur (immediately and without objection)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in formal minutes: 'The board demurred at the proposed budget cuts.'
Academic
Used in legal, philosophical, or historical texts to indicate principled objection.
Everyday
Extremely rare in casual speech. Sounds formal and deliberate.
Technical
Specific legal term for a pleading that objects to the sufficiency of a point of law in an opponent's claim.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She demurred at the suggestion that she take the lead.
- I must demur from that characterisation of the events.
American English
- He demurred when asked to comment on the ongoing investigation.
- The senator demurred, citing a lack of sufficient data.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form.)
American English
- (No standard adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjective form. 'Demurring' is a present participle.)
American English
- (No standard adjective form. 'Demurring' is a present participle.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too advanced for A2.)
- She demurred politely when offered more cake.
- The committee accepted the proposal without demur.
- While he demurred at the specific methodology, he endorsed the report's overall conclusions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DE-MUR' sounds like 'THE MURmur' – a quiet, murmured objection.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBJECTION IS A BARRIER / HESITATION IS PAUSING IN MOTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not equivalent to "деморализовать" (demoralize).
- Do not confuse with "возражать" in heated arguments; "demur" is more polite and restrained.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in informal contexts where 'object' or 'hesitate' would be more natural.
- Confusing it with 'demure' (modest, shy).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the meaning of 'demur'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, low-frequency word most often encountered in written English, particularly in legal, academic, or official contexts.
'Demur' implies a more polite, restrained, or principled hesitation, often with less force than 'object'. 'Object' is more general and common.
Yes, but it's less common than the verb. The noun form means 'an objection' and is often seen in the fixed phrase 'without demur'.
They are completely different words. 'Demur' is a verb/noun meaning to object. 'Demure' is an adjective describing someone as reserved, modest, or shy.