What does demurring mean?
"Demurring" is the present participle and gerund of the verb "demur," which means to object to something or to show hesitation about complying with it. When someone is demurring, they are expressing doubt, raising polite objections, or simply declining to go along with a plan. The word carries a formal tone and appears most often in legal, political, and business contexts — a senator might be described as demurring at a bill's provisions, or a director as demurring when asked to sign off on a risky deal. It frequently pairs with the preposition "at" or "to," as in "she demurred at the suggestion," and the fixed phrase "without demurring" means readily or uncomplainingly. In law, demurring has a technical sense: entering a formal objection challenging the legal sufficiency of an opposing party's pleading. Derived ultimately from the Latin "morari," meaning to delay, the word suggests a pause born of scruple rather than outright refusal, making it a precise and useful alternative to blunter terms like refusing or disagreeing.
Present participle and gerund of demur: raising an objection or showing reluctance to agree or comply.
"The shareholders were demurring at the terms of the buyout."
Typically followed by "at," "to," or a that-clause.
(Law) Present participle of demur: filing a demurrer, a formal objection that a pleading lacks legal sufficiency.
"The defense, demurring to the indictment, argued it failed to state an offense."
Despite its resemblance to the modest-sounding "demure," "demur" comes from the Latin for "to delay" — so when you're demurring, you're quite literally holding things up.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of demurring
"Demurring" derives from the verb "demur," which entered English in the Middle Ages from Anglo-Norman and Old French "demorer" (to delay or stay), itself from Latin "demorari" — formed from "de-" plus "morari," meaning to linger or delay, from "mora" (delay). Its legal sense of formally objecting developed early in English law. It shares this Latin root with "moratorium" and "remora."
Related word forms
How demurring is actually used
Formal to semi-formal register; common in legal, political, and business writing. Often appears with the prepositions "at" or "to." The phrase "without demurring" is a set expression meaning uncomplainingly or readily.
Easily confused with demurring
"Demure" is an adjective describing someone modest or reserved in manner, while "demurring" is the verb form of "demur," meaning to object or express reluctance.