claim 1 of 2

Definition of claimnext
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claim

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noun

1
as in right
an entitlement to something I'm announcing my claim to that last slice of pizza

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in stake
a legal right to participation in the advantages, profits, and responsibility of something a shareholder has a claim in the business

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in request
something that someone insists upon having young children make great claims on their parents' time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb claim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of claim are demand, exact, and require. While all these words mean "to ask or call for something as due or as necessary," 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

In what contexts can demand take the place of claim?

The synonyms demand and claim are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 would exact be a good substitute for claim?

The words exact and claim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.

exacts absolute loyalty

Where would require be a reasonable alternative to claim?

In some situations, the words require and claim 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 claim
Verb
The Chief Financial Officer of Florida, Blaise Ingoglia, continues his dog and pony show around the state claiming to have unearthed shameful, excessive spending by counties and municipalities. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2026 Ryan Moore finished the five-day meeting as leading jockey with seven wins, while Aidan O’Brien claimed the leading trainer title for the 14th time. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 20 June 2026
Noun
The bottom line was that the appeals court affirmed the district court's dismissal of Ashley's defamation claim against Adam. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 His office also looked into false claims that an election night ballot update in Los Angeles County include no votes for Spencer Pratt, the Republican candidate. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for claim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claim
Verb
  • Iran’s leaders insist the country’s nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.
    Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • The thread running through all of these is the same worry, that decisions which used to be made by people who could be questioned are now made by systems that cannot, unless someone insists they be opened up.
    Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • African and Caribbean leaders are demanding financial compensation, debt cancellation and formal apologies from countries that benefited from the transatlantic slave trade after adopting a sweeping reparations plan at a conference in Ghana.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2026
  • December 22 – January 19 By afternoon, plans demand a firmer line.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Both victims died in separate mobile homes that were destroyed about two to three miles apart, Bullard said.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
  • If Iran’s atomic weapons infrastructure was destroyed in this war, funneling hundreds of billions into the country can’t be used to rebuild it.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Riccobono said that the training needs to start with something as basic as the right way to approach a blind passenger.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • The commission would need to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature within 18 months of its first meeting.
    Nick Lentz, CBS News, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • His far-right allies are openly advocating for a more permanent presence and continued operations.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
  • What specifically might these legal rights and protections look like?
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • That leaves an interesting two-by-two decision at stake.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2026
  • The conflict feels contemporary without growing too cynical, and the core relationship stakes seem real without skewing hopeless.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • The bill also required more documentation of work and income to participate, despite advocates' assertion that states were already collecting lots of paperwork.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • Southgate’s confident assertion that the tide of history was turning against bigotry now looks utopian, or even naïve.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Furthermore, ElAttrache wrote a letter supporting McGregor’s request for a therapeutic use exemption from UFC drug policies.
    Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • Law enforcement made that request as part of their efforts to solve the case.
    John Miller, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Claim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claim. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

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