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Definitions

demurral

[dih-mur-uhl] / dɪˈmɜr əl /
NOUN
delay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lag moratorium postponement problem setback stoppage suspension wait
STRONG
adjournment bind check cunctation dawdling detention discontinuation downtime filibuster hindrance holding impediment interval jam lingering logjam loitering obstruction procrastination prorogation remission reprieve retardation showstopper stall stay stop surcease tarrying tie up
WEAK
cooling-off period hangup holding pattern holdup putting off retardment
Antonyms
STRONGEST
continuation
STRONG
advance aid assistance beginning go help liberation promotion support
WEAK
dispatch expedition furtherance hastening hurry rush speed
NOUN
doubt
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambiguity apprehension confusion difficulty disbelief distrust fear hesitation misgiving mistrust problem qualm reluctance skepticism suspense suspicion uncertainty
STRONG
agnosticism diffidence dilemma discredit disquiet dubiety dubiousness faithlessness faltering hesitancy incertitude incredulity indecision irresolution perplexity quandary rejection scruple vacillation wavering
WEAK
lack of confidence
Antonyms
STRONGEST
belief calm calmness certainty clarity confidence definiteness ease faith knowledge sureness trust
STRONG
solution
WEAK
dependence reliance
NOUN
expostulation
Synonyms
STRONG
challenge complaint criticism demur dissuasion protest protestation remonstrance remonstration
Antonyms
STRONG
acceptance approval praise
NOUN
hesitation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
doubt equivocation hesitancy indecision misgiving mistrust pause procrastination qualm reluctance skepticism unwillingness vacillation
STRONG
dawdling delay dubiety faltering fluctuation indecisiveness indisposition irresolution oscillation scruple wavering
WEAK
averseness delaying fumbling hemming and hawing stammering stumbling stuttering
Antonyms
STRONGEST
belief certainty confidence faith trust
WEAK
eagerness go perseverance sureness
NOUN
indecisiveness
Synonyms
STRONG
dawdling delay doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation hesitancy indecision indisposition irresoluteness irresolution misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple skepticism timidity timidness unwillingness vacillation wavering
WEAK
averseness delaying fumbling hemming and hawing shilly-shally stammering stumbling stuttering tentativeness to and fro
Antonyms
STRONG
belief certainty confidence faith trust
NOUN
irresoluteness
Synonyms
STRONG
dawdling delay doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation hesitancy indecision indecisiveness indisposition irresolution misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple skepticism timidity timidness unwillingness vacillation wavering
WEAK
averseness delaying fumbling hemming and hawing shilly-shally stammering stumbling stuttering tentativeness to and fro
Antonyms
STRONG
belief certainty confidence faith trust
NOUN
irresolution
Synonyms
STRONG
dawdling delay doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation hesitancy indecision indecisiveness indisposition irresoluteness misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple skepticism timidity timidness unwillingness vacillation wavering
WEAK
averseness delaying fumbling hemming and hawing shilly-shally stammering stumbling stuttering tentativeness to and fro
Antonyms
STRONG
belief certainty confidence faith trust
NOUN
objection
Synonyms
STRONGEST
challenge criticism difficulty disapproval displeasure dissatisfaction doubt exception grievance opposition protest question rejection reluctance unwillingness
STRONG
cavil censure declination demur disapprobation discontent disesteem disinclination dislike gripe hesitation kick odium protestation remonstrance remonstration revilement scruple shrinking squawk stink
WEAK
counter-argument demurring niggle repugnancy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
acceptance agreement allowance answer approval calm compliment contentment happiness harmony peace pleasure praise sanction satisfaction
WEAK
concurrence consent
NOUN
protest
Synonyms
STRONGEST
challenge demonstration dissent objection outcry question revolt riot turmoil
STRONG
bellyache blackball clamor declaration demur difficulty flak grievance gripe grouse holler howl kick knock march moratorium nix protestation rally remonstrance remonstration stink tumult
WEAK
big stink formal complaint
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement answer calm concurrence harmony peace
STRONG
calmness compliment flattery praise
WEAK
acceptance approval
NOUN
protestation
Synonyms
STRONG
cavil censure challenge criticism declination demur difficulty disapprobation disapproval discontent disesteem disinclination dislike displeasure dissatisfaction doubt exception expostulation grievance gripe hesitation kick odium opposition protest question rejection reluctance remonstrance remonstration revilement scruple shrinking squawk stink unwillingness
WEAK
counter-argument demurring niggle repugnancy
Antonyms
STRONG
acceptance agreement allowance answer approval calm certainty compliment contentment endorsement flattery happiness harmony peace pleasure praise ratification sanction satisfaction
NOUN
question
Synonyms
STRONGEST
argument challenge confusion debate difficulty dispute mystery objection problem query uncertainty
STRONG
contention demur dubiety enigma misgiving protest puzzle remonstrance remonstration
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement answer
STRONG
certainty
NOUN
remonstration
Synonyms
STRONG
cavil censure challenge criticism declination demur difficulty disapprobation disapproval discontent disesteem disinclination dislike displeasure dissatisfaction doubt exception expostulation grievance gripe hesitation kick odium opposition protest protestation question rejection reluctance remonstrance revilement scruple shrinking squawk stink unwillingness
WEAK
counter-argument demurring niggle repugnancy
Antonyms
STRONG
acceptance agreement allowance answer approval calm certainty compliment contentment endorsement flattery happiness harmony peace pleasure praise ratification sanction satisfaction
NOUN
retardation
Synonyms
STRONG
adjournment bind check cunctation dawdling detainment detention discontinuation downtime filibuster hindrance holdup impediment interval jam lag lingering logjam moratorium obstruction postponement problem procrastination prorogation remission reprieve setback showstopper stall stay stop stoppage surcease suspension tie up wait
WEAK
cooling-off period hangup holding pattern loitering putting off retardment tarrying
Antonyms
STRONG
advance aid assistance beginning boon boost continuation go help liberation promotion start support
NOUN
tentativeness
Synonyms
WEAK
averseness dawdling delay delaying doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation fumbling hemming and hawing hesitancy indecision indecisiveness indisposition irresoluteness irresolution misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple shilly-shally skepticism stammering stumbling stuttering timidity timidness to and fro unwillingness vacillation wavering
NOUN
timidness
Synonyms
STRONG
dawdling delay doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation hesitancy indecision indecisiveness indisposition irresoluteness irresolution misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple skepticism timidity unwillingness vacillation wavering
WEAK
averseness delaying fumbling hemming and hawing shilly-shally stammering stumbling stuttering tentativeness to and fro
Antonyms
STRONG
belief certainty confidence faith trust
NOUN
to and fro
Synonyms
WEAK
averseness dawdling delay delaying doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation fumbling hemming and hawing hesitancy indecision indecisiveness indisposition irresoluteness irresolution misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple shilly-shally skepticism stammering stumbling stuttering tentativeness timidity timidness unwillingness vacillation wavering

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I asked Warsh via the Hoover Institution to comment on the criticisms he’s received and got a cordial demurral from a Hoover representative.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

Or a polite demurral by the adult in the room?

From Slate • Jan. 20, 2025

The demurral raised questions for the Saudis about the American commitment to Saudi security, which has underpinned the strategic layout of the Persian Gulf for decades.

From New York Times • Oct. 4, 2019

It’s easy to see that attitude as standard executive demurral.

From The Verge • Jan. 4, 2019

Bobby tried a psychological tactic himself during that game, despite his oft-quoted demurral, “I don’t believe in psychology—I believe in good moves.”

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady