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Some common synonyms of demand<\/em> are claim<\/em><\/a>, exact<\/em><\/a>, and require<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to ask or call for something as due or as necessary,\" demand<\/em> implies peremptoriness and insistence and often the right to make requests that are to be regarded as commands.<\/p>

\/\/ demanded<\/em> payment of the debt<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'claim' be used instead of 'demand'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to demand<\/em>, claim<\/em><\/a> implies a demand for the delivery or concession of something due as one's own or one's right.<\/p>

\/\/ claimed<\/em> the right to manage his own affairs<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'exact' be used to replace 'demand'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words exact<\/em><\/a> and demand<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but exact<\/em> implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.<\/p>

\/\/ exacts<\/em> absolute loyalty<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'require' a more appropriate choice than 'demand'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words require<\/em><\/a> and demand<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, require<\/em> suggests the imperativeness that arises from inner necessity, compulsion of law or regulation, or the exigencies of the situation.<\/p>

\/\/ the patient requires<\/em> constant attention<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the verb 'demand' contrast with its synonyms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of demand<\/em> are claim<\/em><\/a>, exact<\/em><\/a>, and require<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to ask or call for something as due or as necessary,\" demand<\/em> implies peremptoriness and insistence and often the right to make requests that are to be regarded as commands.<\/p>

\/\/ demanded<\/em> payment of the debt<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'claim' be used instead of 'demand'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to demand<\/em>, claim<\/em><\/a> implies a demand for the delivery or concession of something due as one's own or one's right.<\/p>

\/\/ claimed<\/em> the right to manage his own affairs<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'exact' be used to replace 'demand'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words exact<\/em><\/a> and demand<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but exact<\/em> implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.<\/p>

\/\/ exacts<\/em> absolute loyalty<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'require' a more appropriate choice than 'demand'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words require<\/em><\/a> and demand<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, require<\/em> suggests the imperativeness that arises from inner necessity, compulsion of law or regulation, or the exigencies of the situation.<\/p>

\/\/ the patient requires<\/em> constant attention<\/p>" } } ] }

demand 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈmand How to pronounce demand (audio)
Definition of demandnext
1
as in request
something that someone insists upon having agreed to the customer's demand for a refund

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in market
the state of being sought after especially for purchase a steadily declining demand for film cameras

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in requirement
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable we are very confident that our new employee is fully equal to the demands of the job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

demand

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to request
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority the losing party demanded a recount of the votes cast in the election

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to need
to have as a requirement a task that demands one's unremitting attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to ask
to set or receive as a price superstars of the big screen who demand millions for appearing in a movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb demand contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of demand are claim, exact, and require. While all these words mean "to ask or call for something as due or as necessary," demand implies peremptoriness and insistence and often the right to make requests that are to be regarded as commands.

demanded payment of the debt

When can claim be used instead of demand?

While in some cases nearly identical to demand, claim implies a demand for the delivery or concession of something due as one's own or one's right.

claimed the right to manage his own affairs

When could exact be used to replace demand?

The words exact and demand can be used in similar contexts, but exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.

exacts absolute loyalty

When is require a more appropriate choice than demand?

In some situations, the words require and demand are roughly equivalent. However, require suggests the imperativeness that arises from inner necessity, compulsion of law or regulation, or the exigencies of the situation.

the patient requires constant attention

How does the verb demand contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of demand are claim, exact, and require. While all these words mean "to ask or call for something as due or as necessary," demand implies peremptoriness and insistence and often the right to make requests that are to be regarded as commands.

demanded payment of the debt

When can claim be used instead of demand?

While in some cases nearly identical to demand, claim implies a demand for the delivery or concession of something due as one's own or one's right.

claimed the right to manage his own affairs

When could exact be used to replace demand?

The words exact and demand can be used in similar contexts, but exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.

exacts absolute loyalty

When is require a more appropriate choice than demand?

In some situations, the words require and demand are roughly equivalent. However, require suggests the imperativeness that arises from inner necessity, compulsion of law or regulation, or the exigencies of the situation.

the patient requires constant attention

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demand
Noun
The city is adding on-demand microtransit service from Via, the same company Arlington uses to provide rideshare-style service. —Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026 With massive demand for OpenAI models, the company also wants to sell through Amazon Web Services, and has, Microsoft alleges, tried to find loopholes to avoid its exclusivity agreement with Microsoft. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Chicago runner Sarah Lyons learned quickly how demanding the rules could be. —Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026 Democrats have demanded changes to policy surrounding ICE and Customs and Border Protection in exchange for votes to fund all of the department. —Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demand
  1. request
  2. market
  3. requirement
  4. require
  5. need
  6. ask
  7. must
  8. command
Noun
  • Restaurant officials did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Audit requests do not require a vote of the full legislative chambers to proceed, so Tuesday’s committee vote authorized the state auditor to proceed with the inquiry.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of request
Noun
  • Should the deal go through, the new company will control a majority of the TV stations in the Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock markets.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Lines were also forming at a street market for basic food items like potatoes — for those who could afford it.
    — George Solis, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of market
Noun
  • The decision by Republicans to isolate the language on voter ID, part of days of rolling debate on the SAVE America Act, was spurred by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) insisting that Democrats do not oppose that specific requirement and have backed it in the past.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
  • An amendment that would require voters to show photo identification to cast a ballot failed to advance in the Senate on Thursday, despite Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying last week that Democrats were not opposed to such a requirement.
    — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of requirement
Verb
  • State Medicaid programs are also required to cover dental care for children.
    — Blake Farmer, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
  • With better control over structure and performance, these materials could be used in next-generation batteries and other technologies that require both safety and efficiency.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of require
Verb
  • The president then urged Senate Republicans to combine all of those bills and amendments into one piece of legislation, eliminate the filibuster, and skip their two-week Easter recess, due to start at the end of this week, if needed to pass it.
    — Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026
  • And Wright will need to explain how the administration’s latest emergency measure to keep oil flowing, a temporary sanctions waiver on Iran itself, won’t undermine US military objectives.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of need
Verb
  • Police said no additional information is available and asked the public to respect the reporting party's privacy.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Investigators asked anyone with information relevant to this investigation to call the Police Department’s Investigation Bureau at 916-478-8060.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of ask
Noun
  • Up to half of Cloud’s Rest is exposed and rocky—sunscreen, sturdy footwear, and a hat are musts.
    — Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Sheet masks are a must for me—they’re part of my wind-down routine at the hotel.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of must
Verb
  • When a lift is detected, the controller commands the suit’s actuators to apply supporting force.
    — Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
  • By 1929, his agency commanded $4,000 (more than $70,000 in today’s dollars) from The Saturday Evening Post for a single short story by Fitzgerald.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of command

Browse Nearby Words

demagogues
demand
demanded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demand. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on demand

Nglish: Translation of demand for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about demand

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