demur

UK: /dɪˈmɜː^r/ US: /dɪˈmɝ/ ,(di mûr′)

Inflections of 'demur' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

demurs

v 3rd person singular

demurring

v pres p

demurred

v past

demurred

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•mur /dɪˈmɜrsol;   v., -murred, -mur•ring, n. 
v. 

1. to object;
   take exception: [no obj]:
   The majority were in favor, but a few demurred.
   [ ~ + at + obj]:
   They demurred at the thought of murder.

n. [uncountable]

2. hesitation:
   following any order without demur.

de•mur•ral, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•mur  (di mûr′), v., -murred, -mur•ring, n. 
v.i. 

1. to make objection, esp. on the grounds of scruples;
   take exception;
   object:
   They wanted to make him the treasurer, but he demurred.
2. Law to interpose a demurrer.
3. [Archaic.] to linger;
   hesitate.

n. 

4. the act of making objection.
5. an objection raised.
6. hesitation.
7. Law a demurrer.

• Latin dēmorārī to linger, equivalent. to dē- de- + morārī to delay, derivative of mora delay
• Anglo-French demurer, Old French demorer
• Middle English demuren 1175–1225

de•mur′ra•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 5. scruple, qualm, misgiving.

Antonyms

• 1. agree, accede.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

demur / dɪˈmɜː/ verb ( -murs, -murring, -murred)(intransitive)

1. to raise objections or show reluctance; object
2. to raise an objection by entering a demurrer
3. to hesitate; delay

noun
also: demurral / dɪˈmʌrəl/

1. the act of demurring
2. an objection raised
3. hesitation

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French demorer, from Latin dēmorārī to loiter, linger, from morārī to delay, from mora a delay

deˈmurrable adjective