demand 1 of 2

1
as in request
something that someone insists upon having agreed to the customer's demand for a refund

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in market
the state of being sought after especially for purchase a steadily declining demand for film cameras

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

demand

2 of 2

verb

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

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 demand
Noun
That volume is masking deteriorating demand from key sectors - particularly domestic manufacturing, which drives more than 60% of big rig ton miles, and ocean imports. Lisa Baertlein, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025 ServiceNow’s Performance And Prospects Due to strong public and private sector demand, ServiceNow surpassed expectations for first-quarter earnings and revenue and raised its second quarter outlook, reported the Journal. Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
The people who go out to eat in New York are demanding diners. New York Times, 7 May 2025 The 9/11 advocacy group plans to hold a forum in Washington, D.C., next week to demand more answers ahead of RFK Jr.’s planned appearance before a Senate committee. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for demand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demand
Noun
  • With Zero Trust, businesses must verify every access request before granting entry, ensuring that security remains a top priority at every level of digital interaction.
    William Jones, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Newsweek reached out to the White House by email with a request for comment outside of office hours.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • How long until interest rates drop again? While Fed futures markets still expect the first rate cut in July, Nationwide and JPMorgan think officials will wait until September.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • Proceeds will be donated to western North Carolina farmers who are still struggling to regain footing after the hurricane, many of whom provide produce to the market.
    Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • In court documents, Alford’s attorney, Marc Ermine, asked for a seven-month sentence with a requirement that Alford participate in alcohol treatment, saying his client has had alcohol abuse issues for decades.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
  • Post-Only Credit: Prior requirements for the post-only credit required that 75% of the post production budget (not including VFX/Animation) must be undertaken in NY to qualify.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • This was seen with Proposition 48, a rule that required, among other things, incoming freshmen athletes score at least a 700 on the SAT or 17 on the ACT and pass certain courses.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 May 2025
  • Both events require significant road closures and law enforcement deployment.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • Not every villain needs to be Thanos – sometimes the best/worst ones, like Val, lean more toward real life.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The Village of Chatham and Ball Chatham Schools are going to need their populations and that of the outside world to love them, pray for them, think of them.
    Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Hall requested spousal support and asked the court to terminate Haack's ability to receive spousal support from him.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 4 May 2025
  • Rumble uses an example of a child asking about the war in Gaza.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 $17 $15 at Amazon Facial sunscreens are a must in Florida, especially to prevent sun damage and premature aging.
    Terri Peters, Parents, 8 May 2025
  • While no prior acting experience is required for the aforementioned roles, prior kitchen experience is a must.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • Romania’s president has a semi-executive role that includes commanding the armed forces and chairing the security council that decides on military aid.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
  • The group also commands a large following on social — with more than 500K followers on Instagram and 637K on TikTok — and recently launched a nationwide live sketch tour.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Demand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demand. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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