DEMAND Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'demand' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of demand are claim , exact , and require . While all these words mean "to ask or call for something as due or as necessary," demand implies peremptoriness and insistence and often the right to make requests that are to be regarded as commands. // demanded payment of the debt

Q: When can 'claim' be used instead of 'demand'?

While in some cases nearly identical to demand , 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

Q: When could 'exact' be used to replace 'demand'?

The words exact and demand can be used in similar contexts, but exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands. // exacts absolute loyalty

Q: When is 'require' a more appropriate choice than 'demand'?

In some situations, the words require and demand 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

demand 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈmand

Definition of demand

as in request

something that someone insists upon having agreed to the customer's demand for a refund

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in market

the state of being sought after especially for purchase a steadily declining demand for film cameras

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in requirement

something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable we are very confident that our new employee is fully equal to the demands of the job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

demand

2 of 2

verb

as in to request

to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority the losing party demanded a recount of the votes cast in the election

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to need

to have as a requirement a task that demands one's unremitting attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to ask

to set or receive as a price superstars of the big screen who demand millions for appearing in a movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb demand contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of demand are claim, exact, and require. While all these words mean "to ask or call for something as due or as necessary," 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 can claim be used instead of demand?

While in some cases nearly identical to demand, 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

When could exact be used to replace demand?

The words exact and demand can be used in similar contexts, but exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.

exacts absolute loyalty

When is require a more appropriate choice than demand?

In some situations, the words require and demand 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 demand

Noun

The investment forms part of a broader plan to spend $8 billion to $9 billion through 2030 to meet rising demand for munitions. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026 The Value tier was among the company’s four most affordable services, alongside Value Bulk, Value Plus and Value Max, that were halted in June due to overwhelming demand. — Benjamin Burrows, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Verb

Residents have long demanded more entertainment options, and some city leaders believe the project could deliver the makings of a downtown. — Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Members of the Bahamas’ Rastafarian community and others lined a road near Clifford Park in protest, demanding reparations. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for demand

Noun

The request, obtained by the Washington Examiner, came in a Wednesday letter from Mike Davis, founder and president of the Article III Project, a conservative legal advocacy group.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
It is held by an escrow agent, usually the title company or a broker, who is not permitted to hand it to either side on request.

— Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of request

Noun

The small-ball Milwaukee Brewers playing in the smallest market in the majors are World Series champions for the first time in franchise history.

— Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
The cost of the drugs there and in the private market limits their use, the philanthropist and former energy trader John Arnold notes.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of market

Noun

The Spanish Navy and Navantia are working from operational requirements, and the final design must still go through procurement.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
American technology therefore qualified for the Commission’s own sovereign cloud requirements through a European operating structure.

— Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of requirement

Verb

Unmanned vessels could potentially carry additional missile capacity without requiring the same onboard crew arrangements as conventional warships.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Florida law requires that a judge be admitted to the Florida Bar for at least five years before taking office (with no requirement for actual experience, just the fact of possessing a law license).

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of require

Verb

Further research will be needed to determine how the motor behaves under different operating conditions and whether the principle can be incorporated into functional molecular technologies.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Authorities were assessing who else needed help, including many whose homes weren't flooded but were cut off by floodwaters.

— MEAD GRUVER, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of need

Verb

The person asked a mutual contact to warn Rosman, according to three people familiar with that exchange.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Attendees asked engineers to provide preliminary cost estimates for street lighting running from the stadium connection north to Swepco Road.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of ask

Noun

It's packed with moisture-loving glycerin, lathers well on washcloths (my preferred delivery method), and is fragrance-free, which is a must for my sensitive-leaning skin.

— Sheryl George, Allure, 26 Oct. 2026
What to Do Much of the park encompasses a flourishing redwood forest, so a hike through the trees is a must.

— Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of must

Verb

The Federal Arbitration Act commands arbitration awards receive high deference and can only be vacated in limited circumstances, such as when the arbitrator engaged in fraud.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026
This notorious commercial entity, a precursor of the global corporations of today and big enough to command its own army, ruthlessly exploited foreign resources, human and material.

— Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of command

Browse Nearby Words

demagogues

demand

demanded

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Style

“Demand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demand. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of demand

noun

verb

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