Definition of claimnext
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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
Stevie has always claimed to have poor eyesight, but the contacts incident arguably made a bad situation worse. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026 Communications can change how a brand is understood without claiming sole responsibility for every commercial result that follows. Julia Ruttner, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
The citation and the injury claim are separate matters, and reducing damages under Florida’s seat belt defense generally requires evidence connecting nonuse to the injuries at issue. Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026 Documentation supporting that the first individual claim had been mailed to the agencies was shared with CNN by the lawyer, a Korean attorney practicing in Georgia who has been representing those workers. Hanna Park, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for claim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claim
Verb
  • The Dangote Refinery has often insisted that its fully operational 700,000 barrels-a-day plant can fulfill this demand.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Prevailing xenophobic notions of the time would have insisted on Bridget’s culpability, particularly when Irish women were seen as more likely to be able to swing an ax than leisurely ladies like Lizzie.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Some advocacy groups have begun providing templates for parents to demand immediate, sweeping moratoriums on the use of artificial intelligence in K-12 classrooms.
    Erin Mote, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The call came after the Israeli American Council began a petition demanding that venues and tour organizers pressure Sheeran to oust Macklemore.
    Matt Moret, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The fire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, cabins and other structures.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Mark Zuckerberg certainly wants no part of one, and cutthroat competition seems hard-coded into tech executives, who are rich enough not to need to win but wake up every morning trying to destroy each other anyway.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • It's meant to starve Russian President Vladimir Putin of the resources Moscow needs to continue its war in Ukraine after invading its neighbor more than four years ago.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Not everything worthwhile needs to produce a skill, result, or charming anecdote.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Not to be confused with inverted full backs, an inverted winger is a wide player who is used on the opposite side of the pitch to their strong foot — so a left-footer on the right or a right-footer on the left.
    Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • If something is shared with the Public Service Commission, should not the public have every right to that information?
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • By February 2025, the actress set her stakes on an even bigger return — joining an untitled Buffy sequel project on Hulu.
    Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Paramount had petitioned the FCC to sign off on the foreign investment, as any foreign ownership stake above 25% requires agency approval.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The Washington Examiner has reached out to Fox News for comment on Freedman’s assertion.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Issacharoff did not identify a source or time period for his assertion that births have exceeded deaths.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The White House did not respond to a request for comment on her criticism of the president or his team.
    Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Claim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claim. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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