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

Some are developing cleaner ways to meet rising energy demand. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 Complex domains demand established standards that cannot be short-circuited. — Mo Husain, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Verb

Seoul has since demanded an official apology, accusing the Ukrainian president of violating a secrecy agreement about the transfer, which was arranged to ensure the prisoners’ safety from reprisals. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026 On Sunday, her supporters took to the streets in Venezuela to demand her safe return and presidential elections that could lead to a democratic transition. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for demand

Noun

The motif has since become one of the most recognizable features in British gunmaking, appearing on every bespoke gun unless a client requests otherwise.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
My appreciation to attractions officials, creative types, public relations folks and other experts who helped with facts, figures and fanciful requests.

— Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of request

Noun

Its membership includes advanced hubs like Singapore, emerging markets like Indonesia, and small island economies like Timor-Leste.

— Jon M. Huntsman, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
To be sure, value has actually outperformed growth by a significant bit this year, as gains from artificial intelligence expand to the broader market.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of market

Noun

Repeating that process places significant stress on components, increasing operational and capital costs due to the risk of failure, maintenance requirements and downtime.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
In some states, parents are winning time requirements on daily recess.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of requirement

Verb

The role required Cruise to transform with prosthetics (including a fat suit and thinning white hair) and a put-on Southern accent, but, mostly, the absurdist satire demanded his full acting range.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
The challenge required teams to transport as much weight as possible over the four-nautical-mile course.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of require

Verb

Hafnia passes key tests The researchers needed more than electrical measurements to establish the material’s identity.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
Guests who need accessible room setups or transportation are encouraged to arrange these in advance of their visit.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of need

Verb

As Arkansas families navigate a new education landscape, asking the right questions can help ensure that choice leads not just to change, but to growth, stability, and opportunity for the students who matter most.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Then Teresa gets brought up onstage by the mentalist, who asks her to think of someone meaningful in her life from before the cameras, who nobody in the room would know the name of.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of ask

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 30 Sep. 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

epistemic

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes