require

verb

re·quire | \ ri-ˈkwī(-ə)r

required; requiring

Definition of require

transitive verb

1a : to claim or ask for by right and authority

b archaic : request

2a : to call for as suitable or appropriate the occasion requires formal dress

b : to demand as necessary or essential : have a compelling need for all living beings require food

3 : to impose a compulsion or command on : compel

4 chiefly British : to feel or be obliged —used with a following infinitive one does not require to be a specialist —Elizabeth Bowen

intransitive verb

archaic : ask

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about require

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Synonyms & Antonyms for require

Synonyms

bear, challenge, claim, demand, necessitate, need, take, want, warrant

Antonyms

have, hold

Choose the Right Synonym for require

demand, claim, require, exact 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 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 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 exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands. exacts absolute loyalty

Examples of require in a Sentence

the toy requires four batteries, which are not included

Recent Examples on the Web

Local and state government bodies are required, under the Maryland Open Meetings Act, to hold meetings open to the public. — David Anderson, The Aegis, "Harford school board takes 'corrective action' after violating open meetings law," 13 July 2018 Registration is required, and the tours fill up fast. — Dan Wine, OrlandoSentinel.com, "7 things to do in Orlando this summer — and they're all free," 12 July 2018 There is no legislation in Indiana that requires a parent be called before a student is questioned by administrators, and experts IndyStar talked to couldn't point to a school with such a policy. — Emma Kate Fittes, Indianapolis Star, "A Carmel High School student's suicide raises questions over how schools discipline kids," 11 July 2018 Last month, the Supreme Court of the United States chipped away at women’s reproductive rights, striking down a California law that required crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to be more transparent. — Lauren Rankin, SELF, "It’s Legal for Crisis Pregnancy Centers in California to Lie to You About Abortion," 11 July 2018 The council enacted a hiring freeze for 2017 that required the board to approve filling a vacancy and netted savings from the gap between an employee leaving and a new one being hired. — Craig Lyons, Post-Tribune, "Council creates two-week hold on filling vacancies," 10 July 2018 Advanced registration is $30 per session and is required for the programs. — Michelle Mullins, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin News Digest," 13 July 2018 MADISON - Conservative and government transparency advocates asked Wisconsin appeals court judges to reject a state lawmaker's argument that he is not required to provide records in an electronic format. — Molly Beck, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Groups ask judges to tell Wisconsin lawmaker to provide electronic copies of public records," 13 July 2018 Juan Carlos Espinosa, dean of the FIU Honors College, said more than 2,300 students are enrolled in the program and are required to apply for admission. — Rene Rodriguez, miamiherald, "Jorge and Darlene Pérez donate $1 million to FIU Honors College," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'require.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.