What does demurred mean?
Demurred is the past tense of the verb "demur," meaning to object to something or to express hesitation and reluctance. When a person demurred, they raised a polite objection or held back from full agreement, as when a committee member demurred at a proposed change or a witness demurred when pressed for details. The word belongs to a formal register and appears frequently in journalism, legal writing, and accounts of negotiations or deliberations. Its connotations are notably gentle: to demur is not to refuse outright but to voice reservations, delay consent, or signal unwillingness without confrontation. In law, the related term "demurrer" refers to a formal pleading that challenges the legal basis of an opponent's case. The verb derives ultimately from the Latin "demorari," meaning to delay or linger, which explains its sense of holding back. Writers value "demurred" precisely because it captures that nuanced middle ground between agreement and refusal — the moment of principled hesitation before a decision is made.
verbPast tense and past participle of "demur": to raise an objection or express reluctance or unwillingness to do something.
- To object to something or voice disagreement, often politely or formally.
- To hesitate or show reluctance before agreeing to do something.
- (Law) To enter a demurrer — a formal plea challenging the legal sufficiency of an opponent's claim without addressing the facts.
"The board approved the merger unanimously, though one director demurred at the last minute."
"When asked to sign off on the budget cuts, the finance director demurred, citing concerns about staffing levels."
"She demurred at first, but eventually agreed to chair the committee."
Despite looking like it should mean "acted shyly," "demurred" actually comes from a Latin word for delay — so when someone demurred, they were quite literally putting things off.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of demurred
"Demurred" comes from "demur," borrowed into English in the late Middle Ages from Anglo-Norman and Old French "demourer" / "demorer," itself derived from the Latin "demorari," meaning to delay or stay, formed from "de-" plus "mora" (a delay or pause). The same Latin noun "mora" underlies "moratorium." Over time, the English verb shifted from its original sense of delaying or lingering toward its modern sense of raising an objection or showing reluctance, while the legal sense — entering a demurrer — developed separately within Anglo-American law.
Related word forms
How demurred is actually used
"Demurred" carries a distinctly formal register, common in journalism, legal writing, and diplomatic contexts. The objection it implies is typically polite or procedural rather than hostile — someone who demurred may simply be expressing hesitation rather than outright refusal. It is usually followed by "at," "to," or occasionally a that-clause.
Easily confused with demurred
"Demure" is an adjective describing someone modest, reserved, or shy in appearance, while "demurred" is the past tense of the verb "demur," meaning to have objected or hesitated.