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
The company also claims the X7 can tackle gradients of up to 30 degrees. — New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026 Neither claims the most dangerous thresholds have been crossed though neither rules it out. — Ashish K. Jha, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
If fewer valid claims come in, the payment may increase to as much as $95 per eligible device. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 On Tuesday, the Supreme Court did not respond to the government’s claims, but granted its request to temporarily suspend the federal judge’s order. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for claim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claim
Verb
  • The president and his allies have insisted that existing liability laws offer enough protections.
    — Jeff Masonand Michael Shepard Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Ribera insists that this misunderstands the European perspective.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The role required Cruise to transform with prosthetics (including a fat suit and thinning white hair) and a put-on Southern accent, but, mostly, the absurdist satire demanded his full acting range.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The protesters have been demanding stronger protections for tenants, measures to combat fraud and a ban on evictions when alternative housing is unavailable.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Although much of the population in Java converted to Islam and Borobudur was abandoned, it was not destroyed.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Careers are destroyed, lawsuits follow, and administrators calculate their exposure.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In its base case, about 11 million workers, roughly 7% of the workforce, would need to leave their occupations entirely, with a range of 6 million to 16 million.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Engineers needed the spacecraft to track specific targets with enough precision for reliable emissions measurements.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Trading a temporary delay in multibillion-dollar media rights for a permanent reduction in labor costs is a straightforward corporate calculation.
    — Chris Koras, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In July, the Lone Pine Canyon Protection Alliance and three longtime residents, including Falb’s mother, Michele, filed a petition in court calling for the county to reconsider the decision granting the vested mining rights.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Berkshire Hathaway held a major GM stake when Barra became CEO, and Buffett delivered a crucial vote of confidence in her leadership amid the 2014 recall crisis.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Phoenix also holds stakes in at least eight other companies providing equipment for the Israeli military ranging from drones to warships to demolition machinery, CNN found.
    — Allegra Goodwin, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In the case of Aries, for instance, this Fire sign has everything to do with individuality, assertion and the raw instinct to act on one’s desires.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Revealing documents from Jones’ litigation previously became central to Lively’s own assertions in court.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The event was held at the request of Epoch AI, an organization that benchmarks the progress of artificial intelligence systems.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • David Peck, Pourharton’s attorney, told the Town Plan and Zoning Commission that his client’s business has created no reason for rejecting the request, noting that GG hasn’t been the scene of arrests or police activity.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Claim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claim. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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