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

Lingerie Wearing garters requires a lot of parts and can be expensive, but thankfully, companies like Lovehoney make tights that look like garters without the confusion or high price tag. — Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, "Online Sex Toy Boutique Lovehoney Is Having a Sale on Some of Our Favorite Vibrators," 8 Mar. 2019 Plus, the technical skills required to effectively work with rebar is enough to ensure function is at the forefront of each design. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "A Bold and Sculptural New Furniture Collection Inspired by the Basics," 26 Feb. 2019 But doing so will require fresh thinking and a real commitment to reform—qualities noticeably missing among the city’s permanent political class and the baker’s dozen of candidates vying to be the next mayor. — Aaron M. Renn, WSJ, "A Mad Dash for City Hall in the Windy City," 22 Feb. 2019 An additional proposal would require that as SPF increases, the amount of protection against UVA radiation also increases. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "What the New Proposed FDA Sunscreen Regulations Mean for You," 22 Feb. 2019 Being 100 percent safe would require disconnecting from the Internet and moving to an undisclosed bunker. — Geoffrey A. Fowler, The Seattle Times, "Password managers have a security flaw, but you should still use one," 19 Feb. 2019 Even if Charles opts to keep the status quo, his rapidly growing crew of grandchildren will require housing, security, and education. — David Mcclure, Town & Country, "How Queen Elizabeth's Fortune Is Divided Among the Members of the Royal Family," 16 Feb. 2019 In fact, many state and national parks and forests require leashes. — Arricca Sansone, Country Living, "Everything You Need to Know About Hiking With Your Dog," 12 Feb. 2019 The home’s sheetrock walls and open floor plan would require a certain amount of ingenuity to warm up. — Jennifer Fernandez, House Beautiful, "Nick Olsen Designed Every Room in This NYC Townhouse to Feel Like a Surprise," 6 Feb. 2019

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.