demure

Ms. Winger struggles to make these demure, repressive qualities come across naturally—and frankly fails.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

The simplicity of the tins, their demure size and dainty contents, which often feature organic health foods, are meant to embody whimsy.

From Salon ● May 17, 2026

Others opt for the registry office and a demure lunch with close friends, and prefer to save their money for a house.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 25, 2025

She’d ask for news of the tenants by name and demure every time he told her they were willing to pay more.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2024

Each and all were answered by a smile, a bow, and a demure “Yes” or “No” with the chill on.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Cicely, six months younger, was much more quiet and steady on the surface, though her twinkling brown eyes belied her demurer manners, and proclaimed her ready for anything in the shape of fun.

From The Manor House School by Arthur A. Dixon

She bowed to him, and passed on in her grave and stately manner: more calmly observant, demurer eyes were not in the Park.

From Sunrise by William Black

And you have seen a cat conscious of approaching cream: such was Miss Haythorn; she became demurer and demurer.

From Stories by English Authors: England by Thomas Hardy

Of course, if they be still exuberant, they may show it, and stamp their lustiest; still a demurer step will usually suggest itself as the more appropriate.

From The Morris Book, Part 1 A History of Morris Dancing, With a Description of Eleven Dances as Performed by the Morris-Men of England by Cecil J. Sharp

It was all over at last, and Gabriel found himself seated in the carriage, side by side with the demurest and the quietest young lady he had ever seen.

From Gabriel Tolliver A Story of Reconstruction by Joel Chandler Harris

She was the demurest of all in seeming when she danced, but she was uncontrollably jealous.

From We Can't Have Everything by Rupert Hughes

Gwendolyn was the demurest of the demure, letting her eyes fall beneath their pendant black lashes at the conclusion of each answer, and won her case without the slightest difficulty.

From Courts and Criminals by Arthur Cheney Train

With downcast demurest eyes and hesitating speech, Saxon said: "I did something yesterday without asking your advice, Billy."

From The Valley of the Moon by Jack London

He threw up his arms to ward off the threatened attack, and when he opened his eyes and peered out she was sitting on the table with the demurest of expressions upon her countenance.

From Otherwise Phyllis by Charles Dana Gibson