require

verb

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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

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 The area typically houses a couple of food trucks, but there's a proposal on the table to expand that number to approximately a dozen, which would require special permission from the city. — Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, "RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: Three Fold taking over Panera site," 13 May 2021 Any future content that comes is said to be a sizable expansion, which will require re-farming and new gear to chase anyway. — Paul Tassi, Forbes, "‘Outriders’ Wasn’t Supposed To Be A Live Service, So Why Is It So Stingy?," 13 May 2021 The transaction, which would require regulatory approvals ― including a sign-off from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission ― comes after similar deals at MGM’s other properties. — BostonGlobe.com, "MGM Springfield casino to spin off its real estate in $400m deal," 12 May 2021 The SFMTA Board of Directors would have to vote to approve a budget amendment, which would then require a vote by the full Board of Supervisors and a final sign-off by Mayor London Breed. — Ricardo Cano, San Francisco Chronicle, "S.F. is one step closer to fare-free Muni this summer," 12 May 2021 The more likely scenario is finishing sixth, which would require at least tying the Lakers in the standings. — oregonlive, "Final 3 games will reveal just how much the Portland Trail Blazers have improved," 12 May 2021 The same goes for wire transfers, which require a bank employee’s help. — Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, "Are Banks Open on Memorial Day 2021? Here's What You Need to Know About the Bank Holiday," 11 May 2021 The Communist Party wants to double output per person from 2020 levels by 2035, which would require annual growth of about 4.7%. — Time, "China's Population Growth Slows as Fewer Couples Opt to Have Babies," 11 May 2021 But Rayburn was confident enough of the outcome to retain site control on the American Apparel space, which will require a substantial buildout under the state’s stringent site requirements. — Thomas Jewell, cleveland, "Medical marijuana dispensary finally coming to Coventry Village in Cleveland Heights," 11 May 2021

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.