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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
Complicating matters is the fact that Maddie is deaf and mute, forcing her to utilize her other senses to stop the killer from claiming her as his next victim. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026 The Coyotes used their half-court trap defense, rebounding and free throw shooting to rally past host Godinez 59-48 to claim a third consecutive league championship. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
SiriusXM denied wrongdoing in the agreement but agreed to a $28 million settlement, originally filed in October 2025, to settle the claims. James Powel, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026 The publishers strenuously deny the claim and say their stories were sourced legitimately. Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for claim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claim
Verb
  • Snapp, the drug policy researcher, insists that Mexico’s ban is a setback by removing a safer alternative to cigarettes.
    María Verza, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Iran long has insisted its nuclear program is peaceful.
    Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • For that reason, Democrats are demanding that any compromise be codified into law, and so far, Republicans are entertaining the conversation.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Warsh, if approved by the Senate, will be under close scrutiny from financial markets and Congress given his appointment by a president who has loudly demanded much lower rates than many economists think are justified by economic conditions.
    Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But when a man from Anne’s past returns from war, a curse begins to take shape through a mysterious knight and threatens to destroy them all.
    Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Plenty of plants were destroyed in the Eaton and Palisades fires, of course, especially highly flammable shrubs like tall, skinny arborvitae.
    Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In The Moon and the Bonfires Cesare Pavese wrote that everyone needs a hometown, even just for the pleasure of leaving it.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Third, student parents need coordinated academic navigation.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Members of Congress have for months been denied their lawful right to inspect detention facilities in Minnesota, New Jersey, Florida and California.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The underlying lawsuit, filed in December, alleges that federal officers violated the First and Fourth Amendment rights of six protesters.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Alongside fellow co-owner John Mara, Tisch assumed control of the team in 2005 after his father had purchased a majority stake in the team in 1991.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • For example, in January, L Catterton bought a majority stake in cottage cheese upstart Good Culture.
    Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • American officials have since tried to distance themselves from the movement, denying any interest in funding it, contrary to separatist assertions.
    Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Past recounts and court challenges have not backed up those assertions.
    David Wickert, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Russia’s Defense and Foreign Ministries have not responded to CNN’s request for comment on allegations that some recruits were misled or coerced.
    Larry Madowo, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Neubauer did not respond to a request for comment.
    Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Claim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claim. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

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