demand 1 of 2

1
as in request
something that someone insists upon having agreed to the customer's demand for a refund

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in market
the state of being sought after especially for purchase a steadily declining demand for film cameras

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

demand

2 of 2

verb

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
Due to their vast scale of computational power, cooling systems and other operations, large data centers have an insatiable demand for energy — especially as artificial intelligence proliferates. Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025 Consumers are cutting back on discretionary spending as the growth of GLP-1 products hurt demand for snack foods. Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 30 July 2025
Verb
The rationale was that, if Isak was given a pay rise that Newcastle may have struggled to afford in the short run, other key players may demand similar wage bumps, and that was simply unsustainable. George Caulkin, New York Times, 30 July 2025 The book, which took six years to complete, is specifically aimed at young women interested in the medical field, providing insight into the persistence required to succeed in such a demanding profession. Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for demand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demand
Noun
  • Sauk County Sheriff Chip Meister did not respond to requests for comment.
    Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • Challenge manufacturing did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
    Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • The benefits of cover cropping or microbial renewal often take years to yield visible results, and market pressures from global competitors drive cost concerns.
    Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Travelers should carefully review the entry requirements as the repercussions for not following the rules could end in tragedy.
    Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2025
  • What are the eligibility requirements to run for governor in Tennessee?
    Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Economic growth may require zoning updates Before 2022, most data centers in Loudoun County in Virginia were built in areas zoned for industrial use and drew minimal community pushback.
    Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025
  • Indiana government employees, for example, are required to avoid outside employment that would conflict with state property, time or information, or use their position in state government to secure privileges that wouldn’t be available to the average citizen.
    Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • But on a global basis, the picture is different, and this needs to be investigated because global warming is the real issue.
    Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Any education system that purports to care about children’s futures needs to not only electrify and green school buildings, but also categorically reject all contracts for energy-intensive AI products in schools.
    Liat Olenick, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The department published a serious note to its Facebook page early Monday after the Free Press asked about it.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
  • You’re asked to enroll your Wi-Fi smart thermostat in a bring-your-own-thermostat program.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • No matter what the Yankees do before the deadline passes at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, getting multiple relievers is a must.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • The elements around it have changed, but the magic has remained pure, a must.
    Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • Despite his controversial legacy, Uribe continues to command strong support among Colombian-Americans in South Florida, where his image adorns cafés, billboards and bumper stickers.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
  • Antonio Johnson, Senior, Arlington heights Johnson, a BYU commit, commands respect as 247Sports’ No. 155 class of 2026 recruit in Texas.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Demand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demand. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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