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

Chef’s counters, bar seating with full menus and single-seat tasting experiences could become more prominent as restaurants explore ways to meet demand for experiential dining. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 Election experts say that makes the demand on California — where ballots have already been mailed out — even more concerning. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Throughout the meeting, dozens of community members stood with signs depicting the faces of Black men killed by police, demanding the removal of Todd Chamberlain as Aurora's police chief. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 In addition to scaring the bejesus out of Hamlet and demanding blood, the ghost informs the audience exactly how the murder occurred. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for demand

Noun

The staff are friendly and are happy to facilitate requests like for in-room Peloton bikes, special calming playlists or local neighborhood tips.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Employers should also make checking a request part of the job.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of request

Noun

As per estimates provided by Indian market intelligence firm Prime Database, Jio was expected to raise around 377 billion rupees through its IPO.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
With huge streamers to nurture, however, will some content stay in the family and not make it to market?

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of market

Noun

The system has been evaluated through military exercises and training events and has supported operational use in Ukraine, providing BLADE with real-world insight into evolving unmanned ground requirements, according to a press release.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
The new changes in the electoral law ease some requirements for candidates seeking office, eliminate the need for some financial documents and a mandatory medical certificate, and introduce electronic voter registration.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of requirement

Verb

Years of integrating services, supported by money and the authority to require involvement, help explain Abu Dhabi’s progress.

— Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
The bag does the color blocking for you, adding an unexpected hit of color without requiring you to overthink the styling.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of require

Verb

Further testing will be needed before the device can reliably support hydration assessment or health monitoring.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
The joy of being in DTLA is proximity to transit, putting Santa Monica, Pasadena, and everywhere in between within easy reach without necessarily needing Ubers or a rental car.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of need

Noun

Both also pride themselves in downfield blocking, a must for a team coached by a former receivers coach.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
For Olivia Allen, the second rotation of Ana Viktoria Dzinic’s solo at Nicoletti in Shoreditch—which coincides with a solo booth over at Frieze London—is a must.

— Mahoro Seward, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of must

Verb

Today, Japanese designers are firmly established on the vintage market and early examples can command extraordinary prices.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Antonio gives us a Cortés who can be commanding, complicated, and deeply human, while Paul has a clear vision for the brilliant screenplay that Nick wrote.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of command

Browse Nearby Words

demagogues

demand

demanded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Demand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demand. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of demand

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on demand

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zenith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes