demur

When their new neighbors asked where they were from, most would demur and say “Southern California” or “near Los Angeles.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2023

“State of the Union” put Musk’s post on the screen and host Jake Tapper read it to DeSantis before pressing him to condemn it — but the governor continued to demur.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 19, 2023

They did, however, demur from telling what both referred to ominously as “the fart story.”

From New York Times ● Nov. 3, 2022

If Goodell has a damning instinct to demur, it’s also true that since 2014 he has wrought a visible difference in the space he can most immediately affect, the league headquarters on Park Avenue.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 18, 2021

Anytime a reporter asked whether he’d join the race for president, Barack would demur, saying simply, “I'm still thinking about it. It’s a family decision.”

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

If your friend demurs at your offer to be your season companion courtside, share your view of what he has given you.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026

“I think it’s just kind of endearing and pretty damn accurate,” Robby demurs.

From Salon ● Jan. 8, 2026

Burton demurs when asked about what he wants to shoot next.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2024

Fennell demurs, describing herself as “such a natural, slippery” people-pleaser.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2023

He demurs about the name, though: wouldn’t Ma be happier if they named him after Pa?

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

Piker demurred, but I wasn’t surprised by the line of questioning.

From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2026

Jennings demurred, though he too claimed he had a great 20-minute conversation with McConnell.

From Salon ● Jul. 10, 2026

When asked about joining a list of Lakers coaches that includes Jackson and Pat Riley, Redick demurred.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2026

Asked by a student how he viewed the prospect of Warsh arriving at the Fed and pursuing rate cuts in the current environment, Powell demurred.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 30, 2026

Estraven’s eyes lit up at that, but he demurred; and agreeing that he might not be safe so near Sassinoth, Thessicher promised to find him a hideout.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

After months of demurring, citing concerns about the weapons’ use and saying they were not necessary, U.S. officials have recently signaled a shift.

From New York Times ● Jul. 6, 2023

So far, McConnell is demurring and saying that Biden and McCarthy need to work this out themselves.

From Seattle Times ● May 5, 2023

Stewart’s primary complaint—and his reason for demurring as long as he did—was exactly what he said when he ultimately went on the air.

From Slate ● Apr. 25, 2023

McDuffie himself has not said anything publicly about the idea, demurring when asked last year by The Washington Post whether he had considered running for mayor instead.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 29, 2022

After they had been seated about the middle room with demurring and unwillingness to take seats, for politeness, Wang Lung went into the kitchen to bid the woman serve.

From "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck