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

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
If you’re already phased out, there’s no need to claim the deduction. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026 Amy claims the Avondale and Buckeye Police were contacted more than once before the fatal incident about Sanchez's threatening behavior towards Rylee, according to AZ Family. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Noun
At one point in Avedon, Ron Howard’s documentary about the famed photographer Richard Avedon, the claim is made that Avedon captured much of the 20th century. Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026 This source adds that both parties are extremely golf-oriented, which the source claims has helped the couple through hard times. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for claim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claim
Verb
  • Real change begins when communities insist on solutions that restore dignity, stability, and hope rather than pushing people out of sight.
    Shianne LeClaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
  • Maybe, for those who knew his story, this was a high school marker for when college recruiters insisted Jackson was a receiver at the next level.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • This shift will only happen if the public demands it.
    Shianne LeClaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
  • The device will be evaluated in real operating conditions, with the aim of verifying its performance, robustness, reliability and ease of maintenance in the demanding marine environment.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • The fire destroyed two structures — a cabin and an equipment shed — and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees, who were rescued by a Santa Barbara County Fire Department helicopter.
    Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
  • Covers personal property used to secure a loan as collateral if it's destroyed.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Most bills are subject to a filibuster and thus need 60 votes for passage — meaning Republicans must find some Democratic support in the 53-47 Senate.
    Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
  • Nick Tsafos, partner-in-charge at EisnerAmper in New York, said lenders need to independently assess collateral, claims and risks across the full life of a loan, rather than relying solely on borrower representations.
    Hugh Leask, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • And politics still very much come into play, especially as countries move further to the right.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
  • This is the first year of the league’s new 11-year, $77 billion media rights deal with the three networks.
    Mike Prada, New York Times, 18 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

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Cite this Entry

“Claim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claim. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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