claim 1 of 2

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

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
Lancaster players celebrate at center court following their 51-37victory over Austin Westlake to claim the state championship. Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026 At the National People’s Congress this week, Premier Li Qiang issued a government work report that suggested an escalation in saber-rattling against the island territory, which self-conceptualizes as sovereign but is claimed by Beijing. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Homeland Security spokesperson called the claims false but did not explain why. Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026 Unfortunately, this amendment was reversed by claims that the film industry in Colorado would collapse and Sundance would not come to Colorado if those funds were revoked. Bob Marshall, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for claim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claim
Verb
  • Noem insisted to Kennedy that the campaigns were effective.
    Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
  • OpenAI’s head of national-security partnerships insisted that the answer was no.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • When Walker was fatally shot following the 211 call that prompted police officers to arrive at his apartment, where his teen and young adults daughters also were, advocates hosted a press conference demanding justice and accountability at City Hall.
    Mariana Navarrete Villegas, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
  • But each of these rationales demands a different strategy; eliminating an imminent threat involves a different set of operations than establishing peace in the region (or the world).
    Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The port has already planted acres of mangroves and sea grass and donated the land to the state of Florida to offset the habitat that would be destroyed during dredging.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The reasons for this cautious response are many, ranging from the precarious diplomatic implications of the conflict, disruptions to its energy security, and the embarrassing implications of allowing an ally to be destroyed.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Sesame’s clinicians will also stay with the patient throughout any IMI RMA procedures to help translate medical terminology, provide emotional support, and offer any other care coordination needed.
    Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Any efforts to improve your living space may need to be run by other people, like a roommate or landlord.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Sign up here to receive an email right as the chat is about to start.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission already has the power to investigate schools and enforce students’ rights, but it’s rarely used for that end.
    Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Friday’s game also comes with some significant stakes for the Heat and Hornets, with both teams hoping to make the playoffs without needing to take part in the play-in tournament.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Nestlé bought a majority stake in Blue Bottle in 2017, paying $425 million for 68% of the shares.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Richards and the governor’s office pushed back on false assertions that Newsom and his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, were stealing money from the state through her office that same day.
    Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • This Bond-song assertion is not based on insider information, or some silly predictors’ market.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Fort Worth City Council at its meeting on Tuesday, March 10 approved a request from Oncor Electric to upgrade and expand a substation in southeast Fort Worth, despite concerns from neighborhood residents.
    Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
    JOSHUA GOODMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Claim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claim. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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