Demur vs. Defer — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 27, 2024
Demur implies objection or reluctance to proceed, while defer suggests postponement or yielding to another's decision.
Difference Between Demur and Defer
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Demur involves expressing hesitation or doubt about an action or proposal, often due to disagreement or discomfort with the matter at hand. Whereas, defer means to put off an action or decision to a later time, usually out of respect for another's authority or expertise.
Demur can be a subtle way of disagreeing without directly opposing an idea outright. On the other hand, defer often shows respect or compliance, allowing someone else's judgment to prevail over one's own immediate desires or opinions.
Demur often involves a moral or ethical component, where the individual feels something is not right or appropriate. Meanwhile, defer is typically procedural, involving decisions about timing or deference to a process or person.
Demur is active in its expression of doubt or opposition, requiring the individual to make their hesitation known. In contrast, defer is more passive, involving a decision to delay action without necessarily expressing any disagreement.
Demur can affect the course of discussions or decisions by introducing a reason for pause. While, defer can facilitate smoother interactions by recognizing authority or better timing, often seen as a diplomatic or strategic move.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Expression of objection or reluctance
Postponement of action or decision
Implication
Suggests disagreement or discomfort
Indicates respect or tactical delay
Nature
Active and potentially confrontational
Passive and compliant
Common Usage
In debates or disagreements
In planning and scheduling
Emotional Context
May convey ethical or moral hesitance
Often reflects strategic or respectful intentions
Compare with Definitions
Demur
Reluctance based on ethics.
They demurred to signing the agreement, feeling it was unjust.
Defer
Yielding to another's judgment.
She deferred to her supervisor's expertise on the matter.
Demur
Assertion of disagreement.
His demur at the meeting caused a lengthy discussion.
Defer
Complying out of respect.
Out of respect, he deferred to the chairman’s request.
Demur
Hesitation to accept.
He demurred at the proposal, citing several concerns.
Defer
Delaying action tactically.
He deferred his acceptance of the job offer, seeking better terms.
Demur
Resistance subtly shown.
With a polite demur, she declined the offer.
Defer
Strategic timing of decisions.
They opted to defer their investment until the market stabilized.
Demur
Expression of objection.
She chose to demur rather than give her outright disapproval.
Defer
Postponement for later consideration.
They decided to defer the decision until more information was available.
Demur
Raise objections or show reluctance
Normally she would have accepted the challenge, but she demurred
Defer
Put off (an action or event) to a later time; postpone
They deferred the decision until February
Demur
The action of objecting to or hesitating over something
They accepted this ruling without demur
Defer
Submit to or acknowledge the merit of
He deferred to Tim's superior knowledge
Demur
To voice opposition; object
Demurred at the suggestion.
Defer
To put off; postpone.
Demur
(Law) To enter a demurrer.
Defer
To postpone the induction of (one eligible for the military draft).
Demur
(Archaic) To delay.
Defer
To submit to the wish or decision of another, as in recognition of authority.
Demur
The act of demurring.
Defer
To commit or entrust to another
The principal deferred the decision to the school board.
Demur
An objection.
Defer
(transitive) To delay or postpone
Demur
To linger; to stay; to tarry
Defer
To postpone induction into military service.
Demur
(intransitive) To delay; to pause; to suspend proceedings or judgment in view of a doubt or difficulty; to hesitate; to put off the determination or conclusion of an affair.
Defer
(American football) After winning the opening coin toss, to postpone until the start of the second half a team's choice of whether to kick off or receive (and to allow the opposing team to make this choice at the start of the first half).
Demur
(intransitive) To scruple or object; to take exception; to oppose; to balk
I demur to that statement.
The personnel demurred at the management's new scheme.
Defer
(intransitive) To delay, to wait.
Demur
To interpose a demurrer.
Defer
(ambitransitive) To submit to the opinion or desire of others in respect to their judgment or authority.
Demur
To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or hesitate about
Defer
To render, to offer.
Demur
To cause delay to; to put off
Defer
To put off; to postpone to a future time; to delay the execution of; to delay; to withhold.
Defer the spoil of the city until night.
God . . . will not long deferTo vindicate the glory of his name.
Demur
An act of hesitation as to proceeding; a scruple; also, a suspension of action or decision; a pause, a stop.
Defer
To put off; to delay to act; to wait.
Pius was able to defer and temporize at leisure.
Demur
To linger; to stay; to tarry.
Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp.
Defer
To render or offer.
Worship deferred to the Virgin.
Demur
To delay; to pause; to suspend proceedings or judgment in view of a doubt or difficulty; to hesitate; to put off the determination or conclusion of an affair.
Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit to demur.
Defer
To lay before; to submit in a respectful manner; to refer; - with to.
Hereupon the commissioners . . . deferred the matter to the Earl of Northumberland.
Demur
To scruple or object; to take exception, especailly on the basis of scruple or modesty; as, I demur to that statement; they wanted to make him president, but he demurred.
When introduced as the world's smartest man, he was not inclined to demur.
Defer
To yield deference to the wishes of another; to submit to the opinion of another, or to authority; - with to.
The house, deferring to legal right, acquiesced.
Demur
To interpose a demurrer. See Demurrer, 2.
Defer
Hold back to a later time;
Let's postpone the exam
Demur
To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or hesitate about.
The latter I demur, for in their looksMuch reason, and in their actions, oft appears.
Defer
Submit or yield to another's wish or opinion;
The government bowed to the military pressure
Demur
To cause delay to; to put off.
He demands a fee,And then demurs me with a vain delay.
Demur
Stop; pause; hesitation as to proceeding; suspense of decision or action; scruple.
All my demurs but double his attacks;At last he whispers, "Do; and we go snacks."
Demur
(law) a formal objection to an opponent's pleadings
Demur
Take exception to;
He demurred at my suggestion to work on Saturday
Demur
Enter a demurrer
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to demur in a conversation?
To demur means to express objections or show reluctance in a conversation, often subtly.
How do demur and defer relate to authority?
Demur often challenges or questions an authority subtly, while defer typically shows respect or compliance to authority.
What does it mean to defer a decision?
To defer a decision means to delay it until a later time, often until further information is gathered or authority is consulted.
Is it possible to demur and defer simultaneously?
Yes, one can express reservations (demur) while agreeing to revisit the matter later (defer).
What are the emotional implications of demurring?
Demurring can imply discomfort, ethical concerns, or personal hesitations.
What are the typical contexts for deferring?
Typical contexts for deferring include meetings, project planning, and when decisions require approvals from higher-ups.
What scenarios are common for demurring?
Common scenarios for demurring include ethical dilemmas, uncomfortable proposals, or when faced with decisions that clash with personal beliefs.
Is demurring always negative?
No, demurring is not always negative; it can be a diplomatic way to express disagreement.
Can deferment be strategic?
Yes, deferment can be a strategic choice, especially when timing is crucial for a decision's success.
How does one typically show deference in a professional setting?
In a professional setting, deference is shown by respecting superiors’ decisions or by postponing one’s actions to accommodate others' schedules or decisions.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
