Demure vs. Meek

Demureadjective

Quiet, modest, reserved, sober, or serious.

‘She is a demure young lady.’;

Meekadjective

Humble, non-boastful, modest, meager, or self-effacing.

Demureadjective

Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.

Meekadjective

Submissive, dispirited.

Demureverb

(obsolete) To look demurely.

Meekverb

(US) (of horses) To tame; to break.

Demureadjective

Of sober or serious mien; composed and decorous in bearing; of modest look; staid; grave.

‘Sober, steadfast, and demure.’; ‘Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright eyes.’;

Meekadjective

Mild of temper; not easily provoked or orritated; patient under injuries; not vain, or haughty, or resentful; forbearing; submissive.

‘Now the man Moses was very meek.’;

Demureadjective

Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.

‘A cat lay, and looked so demure, as if there had been neither life nor soul in her.’; ‘Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head.’;

Meekadjective

Evincing mildness of temper, or patience; characterized by mildness or patience; as, a meek answer; a meek face.

Demureverb

To look demurely.

Meekverb

To make meek; to nurture in gentleness and humility.

Demureadjective

affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way

Meekadjective

humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness;

‘meek and self-effacing’;

Demureadjective

(of a woman or her behaviour) reserved, modest, and shy

‘I shared a compartment with a child and his demure governess’;

Meekadjective

very docile;

‘tame obedience’; ‘meek as a mouse’;

Demureadjective

(of clothing) lending a modest appearance

‘a demure white lace cap’;

Meekadjective

evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant;

‘compliant and anxious to suit his opinions of those of others’; ‘a fine fiery blast against meek conformity’; ‘she looked meek but had the heart of a lion’; ‘was submissive and subservient’;