Definition of claimnext
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claim

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noun

1
as in right
an entitlement to something I'm announcing my claim to that last slice of pizza

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in stake
a legal right to participation in the advantages, profits, and responsibility of something a shareholder has a claim in the business

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in request
something that someone insists upon having young children make great claims on their parents' time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb claim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of claim are demand, exact, and require. While all these words mean "to ask or call for something as due or as necessary," 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

In what contexts can demand take the place of claim?

The synonyms demand and claim are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 would exact be a good substitute for claim?

The words exact and claim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.

exacts absolute loyalty

Where would require be a reasonable alternative to claim?

In some situations, the words require and claim 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 claim
Verb
On Saturday, the force received remains that gang members claimed belong to the missing Salvadorans. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026 Locals claimed that drinking it was helpful for a variety of respiratory and digestive problems. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
Irvin argued James’ claim to citizenship should be decided in immigration court, rather than by a federal judge. — Ryan J. Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026 Among the other claims are a woman who says Brand raped her in a Bournemouth hotel room in 1999 following a comedy gig of his. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for claim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claim
Verb
  • The character cheerfully insisted that Scotch whisky, the Garden of Eden, and most other worthwhile inventions had originated in his homeland.
    — Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Although Nvidia has insisted the RTX 5090 hasn’t been discontinued, the product has been harder to find at retailers.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Netanyahu’s opponents said he should be held accountable for the security failures that occurred on his watch and have demanded a commission of inquiry.
    — Giovanna Dell'Orto, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The questions must be what caused the accident, whether it could have been prevented, and what corrective action the evidence demands.
    — Dennis Speigel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The students on Thursday asked public servants to prevent outgoing officials from destroying documentation or evidence of potential wrongdoing.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • According to the Federal Trade Commission, destroy anything containing sensitive information to protect yourself from identity theft.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The agreement between Walter and Kushner, which still needs to be signed, will need to be reviewed by the NBA.
    — Broderick Turner Follow, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Wyatt needed an onside kick recovery for any chance of an improbable comeback and Adrian Dunn delivered.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Marketed under the brand name Keytruda, pembrolizumab is considered to be something of a wonder drug in its own right, with just 30% of patients relapsing in the first two years of treatment.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Machado left Venezuela in December for Norway to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, which she was awarded for promoting democratic rights in her country.
    — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Mitchell — who owned the rest — sold half of her 30% stake in the Samsonite deal, but retains her role as founder and creative director.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • From a returning downtown tradition to high-stakes political maneuvering, here’s a quick look at Sacramento headlines shaping the news today.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Vote banks had thus turned into vehicles of collective political assertion.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Trump has repeatedly denied ordering the disruption of Starlink, despite Musk's public assertions that the order would have come from the White House.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • When Wilson sent me her timeline, her request for the operative actions of the city (resolutions and ordinances) was nearly four weeks old.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Attorneys for the school district did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Star-Telegram.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Claim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claim. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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