demurrals
Expressions of reluctance
Demurrals are expressions of objection, hesitation, or reluctance—instances of demurring.
When someone raises demurrals, they're voicing reservations or politely declining rather than giving outright refusal.
Despite her demurrals, they eventually persuaded her to take the lead role.
The word appears most often in formal or literary contexts, where mild protests or qualms need naming.
Delay from uncertainty
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
- reluctanceDisinclination to act
- qualmsMoral reservations or unease
- scruplesMoral reservations about acting
misgivings · doubt · uncertainty · wavering · second-guessing · tentativeness · pause · equivocation
Expression of disapproval
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- challengeTest of ability
- complaintExpression of discontent
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
opposition · dissent · contestation · remonstration · exception · disapproval · criticism · denunciation
Expression of disapproval
- pleadingsFormal litigation documents
- motionChange in position
- affirmative defenseDefendant's excuse admitting act
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
answer · reply · litigation · discovery · deposition · interrogatories · estoppel · appellate
hesitation
Delay from uncertainty
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
- reluctanceDisinclination to act
- qualmsMoral reservations or unease
scruples · misgivings · doubt · uncertainty · wavering · second-guessing · tentativeness · pause · equivocation · ambivalence
objection
Expression of disapproval
grievance · opposition · dissent · contestation · remonstration · exception · disapproval · criticism · denunciation · discontent
objection
Expression of disapproval
- pleadingsFormal litigation documents
- motionChange in position
- affirmative defenseDefendant's excuse admitting act
counterclaim · answer · reply · litigation · discovery · deposition · interrogatories · estoppel · appellate · brief
demurralsacceptances
Affirmative replies received
agreements · assents · consents · approvals · acquiescences
demurralsconcurrences
Simultaneous occurrences or agreements
accords · confirmations · corroborations · validations · endorsements