1
as in requirements
something that someone insists upon having
agreed to the customer's demand for a refund
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in markets
the state of being sought after especially for purchase
a steadily declining demand for film cameras
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in necessities
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in requests
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority
the losing party demanded a recount of the votes cast in the election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needs
to have as a requirement
a task that demands one's unremitting attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in asks
to set or receive as a price
superstars of the big screen who demand millions for appearing in a movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 demands
Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Trump repeatedly publicly praised and defended Bondi but also showed flashes of impatience with his attorney general's efforts to meet his demands to prosecute his rivals.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Apr. 2026
Makers of brand-name drugs who refuse the US’ demands to lower prices and relocate manufacturing to the US will face tariffs of 100%, while those who have met both will not be tariffed.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
This program lowers that barrier without placing new demands on Connecticut’s treasury.
—Christopher P. Desanctis, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
Her girlfriend — a writer who understands the emotional and mental demands of creating — indulges her interests.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Use direct words and set clear boundaries, especially if other people keep changing their demands or shifting deadlines.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Caregivers who neglect their own health become less able to meet the physical demands of caregiving over time.
—Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2026
Gehry’s understanding of the specific demands of architectural practice also shaped his use of technology.
—Julian Rose, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Vogue, 27 Mar. 2026
The movement frames these systems not merely as traffic technologies, but also as linchpins of an expanding government data dragnet – one that demands stronger democratic oversight and community consent.
—Jess Reia, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Your Withdrawal Order Becomes Critical During a Downturn For those already drawing income from their portfolios, a downturn demands a deliberate strategy about which accounts and assets to tap first.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Bohm’s lawsuit demands at least $3 million in damages and that his parents relinquish control of the accounts.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Navigating this complexity demands approaches to modular content production, coordination across agencies, integrated timelines, and more.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit demands at least $3 million in damages, a transfer of account control and an independent accountant to track all transactions.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
There is no voting crisis that demands federal intervention.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
Acting, by contrast, demands the opposite.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
Trump repeatedly publicly praised and defended Bondi but also showed flashes of impatience with his attorney general’s efforts to meet his demands to prosecute his rivals.
—Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Trump repeatedly publicly praised and defended Bondi but also showed flashes of impatience with his attorney general's efforts to meet his demands to prosecute his rivals.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Apr. 2026
Makers of brand-name drugs who refuse the US’ demands to lower prices and relocate manufacturing to the US will face tariffs of 100%, while those who have met both will not be tariffed.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
This program lowers that barrier without placing new demands on Connecticut’s treasury.
—Christopher P. Desanctis, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
Her girlfriend — a writer who understands the emotional and mental demands of creating — indulges her interests.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Use direct words and set clear boundaries, especially if other people keep changing their demands or shifting deadlines.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Caregivers who neglect their own health become less able to meet the physical demands of caregiving over time.
—Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2026
Gehry’s understanding of the specific demands of architectural practice also shaped his use of technology.
—Julian Rose, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
For men, black tie permits a suit or a tuxedo, while white tie demands the black tailcoat and white bowtie brief as explained above.
—Vogue, 27 Mar. 2026
The movement frames these systems not merely as traffic technologies, but also as linchpins of an expanding government data dragnet – one that demands stronger democratic oversight and community consent.
—Jess Reia, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Your Withdrawal Order Becomes Critical During a Downturn For those already drawing income from their portfolios, a downturn demands a deliberate strategy about which accounts and assets to tap first.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Bohm’s lawsuit demands at least $3 million in damages and that his parents relinquish control of the accounts.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Navigating this complexity demands approaches to modular content production, coordination across agencies, integrated timelines, and more.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit demands at least $3 million in damages, a transfer of account control and an independent accountant to track all transactions.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
There is no voting crisis that demands federal intervention.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
Acting, by contrast, demands the opposite.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demands
Noun
-
Framed as deregulation, the bill sets a statewide minimum lot size of 1,500 square feet while also shrinking setbacks and eliminating dimensional requirements that could stand in the way of building multiple compact homes on at least four acres of land.—
Mark Dee
March 28,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
-
No ban on mask-wearing federal agents and no requirements for judicial warrants for immigration raids were in the final deal, which could spark a new clash once Congress returns from spring break.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
By this stage of the week, energy markets have become more volatile after several days of trading, said De Haan.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Part of the company’s dramatic turnaround since new ownership took over in 2019 has been to allow individual stores to tailor the shopping experience and displays to their local markets, rather than corporate’s cookie-cutter mandates, according to reporting by ModernRetail.—
Matt Leclercq,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite numerous complaints to health inspectors from elderly people that Salmos 23 left them wanting the most basic necessities — like toilet paper — DCF chose it as a refuge over hundreds of other homes.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Because these orders were issued without sufficient planning for necessities, many households ran short of food.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This session, the Legislature also passed House Bill 822, which requires schools and health care providers to inform a parent within 72 hours if a child requests to take steps to socially transition, which could include using pronouns or names that align with their gender identity.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Ryan, and his 6-year-old brother, have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, a favorite of the Carters, and Ryan regularly requests a night's reading material to contain information on former presidents, according to videos posted by his mother.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For Rajasthan, Somani was an existing shareholder and moved to take full control of the franchise in a deal that still needs approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Indian media reported.—
Chetan Narula,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Infrastructure needs are critical for students to learn, Iniguez added, which is why the district needs to constantly repair and maintain them — including air conditioning systems.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
July 23 – August 22 Leo, your spark asks to be seen.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The ballot question asks voters whether Virginia’s Constitution should be temporarily amended to allow the legislature to adopt a new mid-decade election map for upcoming races.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Other musts in the cocooning space are the 90-minute full-body scrub with Sicilian raw sea salt, sweet fennel and rosemary in the hammam, the futuristic energy hack with PEMF, hypervolt and LED face masks, and body toning sessions using Biologique Recherche.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Up to half of Cloud’s Rest is exposed and rocky—sunscreen, sturdy footwear, and a hat are musts.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After all, walking requires no gym membership, expensive equipment or specialized training and is accessible to nearly everyone and can be done almost anywhere.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Navigating the country can take time and often requires long drives and a 4x4 vehicle, especially during the green season.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demands. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
