demurral

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "demurral" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate an objection or reluctance to proceed with a particular action or statement. Example: "The lawyer filed a demurral to challenge the validity of the evidence presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The extremists may have taken Mr Najib's demurral as a green light.That would not have been his intention.

The Economist

A demurral: "Making such determinations would be inappropriate for a statistical agency, which must refrain from policy advocacy to main its credibility among data users".

The Economist

His demurral — from someone who had rarely disappointed AIPAC — was a sign that the lobby might be in uncharted terrain.

The New Yorker

Like the famous issue of Life devoted to photographs of a week's worth of American dead, Cronkite's polite demurral came to symbolize the long migration of opposition to the war in Vietnam from the fringe — the campus firebrands, the radical clerics, the flowers-in-gun-barrels hippies, the papier-mâché puppeteers — to the wide, upholstered center of American political life.

The New Yorker

It's impossible to say whether they were reformed, or whether Davuluri's elegantly dismissive demurral elucidated the error of their ways.

The New Yorker

Both reported that the undecided juror had "a personal reason" for her demurral: she was a mother who couldn't bring herself to send another mother to prison and separate her from her child.

The New Yorker

And so "The Truth About Hillary" has, despite critical demurral on both the left and the right, been launched into the upper reaches of the Amazon best-seller list, where it now does lonely battle with "1776," "Freakonomics," and advance orders for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince".

The New Yorker

Despite her demurral, Potter did draw cats well: "The Tale of Samuel Whiskers" and "The Tale of Tom Kitten" both feature multiple images that capture cats' playfulness, inscrutability, and heartlessness: the trinity of feline personality traits.

The New Yorker

With little concern or demurral, we have consigned tens of thousands of our own citizens to conditions that horrified our highest court a century ago.

The New Yorker

Creme's demurral, whether born of unavailability or evasiveness, set off another cycle of speculation.

The New Yorker

The writer continues in the same vein, slightly altering cliches and phrasing (i.e. "...if this election is about anything, it is about not hiding one's light of conviction under a bushel of demurral"). in order to keep from saying anything at all.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "demurral" in formal writing or legal contexts to denote a formal objection or expression of reluctance. It adds a layer of sophistication compared to simpler words like "objection".

Common error

Avoid using "demurral" in casual conversation. It sounds overly formal and can be replaced with simpler terms like "hesitation" or "objection" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "demurral" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the act of objecting or raising concerns. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable. Examples show it used to describe a formal objection or expression of reluctance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "demurral" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun, particularly in news and media contexts, to denote a formal objection or reluctance. As Ludwig AI highlights, the word is suitable for formal settings and adds a layer of sophistication. While it is often replaceable by words like "objection", understanding its specific nuance allows for more precise communication. It's advisable to reserve "demurral" for scenarios where a formal, reasoned objection is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

objection

A direct synonym indicating disagreement or opposition.

protest

Emphasizes a stronger form of disagreement, often public.

hesitation

Focuses on the act of pausing or delaying due to uncertainty or reluctance.

reluctance

Highlights the unwillingness to do something.

disagreement

A general term for not being in accord.

opposition

Implies active resistance or contention.

challenge

Suggests questioning the validity or accuracy of something.

exception

Indicates a specific case where one does not agree or comply.

reservation

Expresses a doubt or concern about something.

qualm

Indicates a feeling of unease or doubt about the morality of an action.

FAQs

How to use "demurral" in a sentence?

You can use "demurral" to indicate a formal objection or reluctance. For example, "His "demurral" to the proposal was unexpected" or "The lawyer filed a "demurral" challenging the evidence".

What can I say instead of "demurral"?

You can use alternatives like "objection", "protest", or "hesitation" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "demurral" or "demurrer"?

"Demurral" is a general term for the act of objecting. "Demurrer" is a legal term referring to a specific type of pleading objecting to the legal sufficiency of an opponent's pleading.

What's the difference between "demurral" and "objection"?

"Objection" is a more general term for expressing disagreement or opposition. "Demurral" often implies a more formal, reasoned, or legalistic objection, suggesting a thoughtful pause and consideration before expressing disagreement.