claim 1 of 2

Definition of claimnext
1
2
3
4

claim

2 of 2

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
Cher‘s son Elijah Blue Allman has claimed that his mother financially cut him off years ago, according to a new filing tied to Allman’s divorce proceedings from his estranged wife Marieangela King. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2026 Hezbollah claimed several attacks in Lebanon, including firing a drone at an Israeli military post in the northern town of Misgav Am. Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Noun
Islamabad often accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of providing sanctuary to the TTP, a claim that Kabul denies. Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026 It was denied on the basis that Allman deserved more time to review and respond to his mother’s claims. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for claim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claim
Verb
  • Success at tests like puzzles and mazes, which appeared to Washburn to be the result of reasoning, or insight—observation and detection—Thorndike insisted was instead merely the result of blundering, repetition, and trial and error.
    Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
  • In an age where most people view art not with their eyes, but through the lens of technology, Abramović banned the use of phones in her show, insisting that people be fully present in the work.
    Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Because different advertisers set a variety of business goals for themselves, using outcomes only would give rise to a chaotic scenario in which one show must compete for foot traffic, ticket sales, coupon orders and more, depending on what the sponsor demanded.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 May 2026
  • But creativity demands discipline — something Diggins will provide in droves.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Onions can be used as a companion plant to carrots to keep away the destructive carrot fly, a pest that can stunt the growth of carrots and even destroy entire plantings.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2026
  • If an Entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or destroyed, entrant’s sole remedy shall be another entry into the Sweepstakes.
    AJC.com, AJC.com, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • While this puts a literal damper on vacation plans, locals celebrate this time of year, as it is needed for keeping the lush foliage and crops at their best.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
  • Who needs pretty when the food tastes this good?
    Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • For schoolteachers, this is worse than whiplash, because there’s a crucial difference between the American-history-is-all-bad or -all-good preferences of the left or the right.
    Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
  • The Supreme Court has long held that the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is among the oldest and most fundamental liberty interests protected by the Constitution.
    James R Mason, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • With the California primary election less than a month away, this may be the last high-stakes chance for the seven leading candidates to impress undecided voters.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • After Meta acquired a $14 billion stake in Scale AI last year and former CEO and cofounder Alexandr Wang left, the future of the company was unclear.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-Santee) dismissed the assertion that Trump is to blame for much of California’s budgetary woes.
    Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
  • Still, his assertion is more than credible.
    Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Israel’s government and Hamas did not immediately respond to requests from AP for comment.
    Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • Duffy reportedly worked with the same production company that did his season of The Real World (Barnes did not address NPR's requests for confirmation).
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 12 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Claim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claim. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on claim

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster