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Synonyms

demurrer

1 American  
[dih-mur-er] / dɪˈmɜr ər /

noun

  1. a person who demurs; objector.

demurrer 2 American  
[dih-mur-er] / dɪˈmɜr ər /

noun

  1. Law. a pleading in effect that even if the facts are as alleged by the opposite party, they do not sustain the contention based on them.

  2. an objection raised; demur.

    Synonyms:
    misgiving, qualm, protest, challenge, dissent
demurrer British  
/ dɪˈmʌrə /

noun

  1. law a pleading that admits an opponent's point but denies that it is a relevant or valid argument

  2. any objection raised

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of demurrer1

demur + -er 1

Origin of demurrer2

From the Anglo-French word demur(r)er, dating back to 1525–35. See demur, -er 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For the eviction lawsuit, Hirschhorn’s team requested a demurrer, which is a plea to dismiss a complaint on the grounds that there’s no legal basis for a lawsuit.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2023

The demurrer was filed "after Defendants met and conferred with Plaintiff in good faith," the docs read.

From Fox News • Jan. 24, 2022

Per legal documents obtained by Fox News, Judge Gregory Keosian ended the court matter on Tuesday after a demurrer ruling that the woman’s accusations fell out of the statute of limitations.

From Fox News • Sep. 15, 2021

In December, the city filed both a demurrer and a motion to strike, in hopes of having the case diminished or dismissed outright.

From The Verge • Jan. 28, 2016

I took, as quickly as possible, refuge in a surprised demurrer.

From The Sacred Fount by James, Henry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.