Synonyms of demand

demand 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈmand 

1

as in request

something that someone insists upon having

agreed to the customer's demand for a refund

Synonyms & Similar Words

• request
• requirement
• wish
• requisition
• desire
• claim
• ultimatum
• need
• must
• importunity
• dun
• stipulation
• provision
• essential
• imposition
• want
• basic
• drive
• condition

2

as in market

the state of being sought after especially for purchase

a steadily declining demand for film cameras

Synonyms & Similar Words

• market
• request
• call
• bull market
• bear market
• seller's market
• buyer's market

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

• requirement
• must
• necessity
• necessary
• need
• requisite
• essential
• must-have
• needful
• condition
• sine qua non
• precondition
• prerequisite
• advantage
• wish
• plus
• edge
• desideratum
• desideration

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• surplus
• extra
• luxury
• comfort
• indulgence
• nonnecessity
• extravagance
• nonessential
• surplusage
• superfluity
• amenity
• frill

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

• request
• require
• command
• claim
• want
• ask
• need
• exact
• call (for)
• quest
• insist (on)
• enjoin
• press (for)
• stipulate (for)
• clamor (for)
• necessitate
• take
• impose
• warrant
• plead (for)
• cry (for)
• requisition
• harass
• hound
• dun
• badger

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yield
• surrender
• give up
• relinquish

2

as in to need

to have as a requirement

a task that demands one's unremitting attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

• need
• require
• want
• take
• necessitate
• challenge
• claim
• involve
• warrant
• call for
• ask
• bear
• beg
• lack
• entail
• insist
• cry (for)
• hurt (for)
• exact
• stipulate
• quest
• enjoin
• clamor (for)
• command
• press

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• have
• hold
• possess
• own

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

• ask
• charge
• command
• fetch
• bring
• price
• sell (for)
• discount
• value
• assess
• overcharge
• mark up
• undercharge
• bill
• mark down
• invoice

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

Recent Examples of demand

Noun

In January 2025, a gang in France abducted a crypto firm’s co-founder and his wife, cut off one of the man’s fingers, and held the pair ransom under demands for funds from the company. —Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026

Social work job openings are expected to grow by 74,000 positions per year from 2024 to 2034, putting the field in high demand. —Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026

Verb

Furthermore, the global energy supply chain is rapidly degrading into a toll booth regime at the Strait of Hormuz, transforming historically open transit routes into hostile zones where safe passage demands political concessions or massive risk premiums. —Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026

Unexpected calls demanding payment should be treated with caution. —Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026