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

Relevance
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
While demand continues to grow, our commitment is to improving ad experiences rather than simply increasing the number of ads shown. ArsTechnica, 12 June 2025 But the fossil fuel industry won’t stop winning the culture wars, and thus the political wars, until a much broader segment of the American public demands climate solutions, now. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
Verb
The Jets have a demanding schedule to begin the season. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025 Rosenzweig then demanded immediate action to address the unsafe conditions. Charna Flam, People.com, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for demand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demand
Noun
  • The request for correction process is intended to correct errors, not to bias assessments to be more favorable to industry and to delay protective actions.
    H. Christopher Frey, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
  • The band engaged in a monthslong dispute with Simon, who did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Rolling Stone.
    Tyler Hicks, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • The latest incident involved a wooden boat taking passengers to a market in the village of Ikoko Bongonda, local media reported.
    Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2025
  • Oil markets are now concerned that Iran will retaliate by attacking either Israeli or American targets, leading to a major military escalation and a potential oil supply disruption, said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates.
    Spencer Kimball,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • The requirement to check in 60 minutes before an international flight remains unchanged.
    Dennis Green, AFAR Media, 2 June 2025
  • During their last meeting in May, both countries agreed to exchange their requirements for a ceasefire.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to serve in the country’s military for at least 18 months.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The lightweight, saltwater-resistant, carbon-fiber unit can easily transform any transom into a personal tee box in less than 10 minutes, with no retrofitting required.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • The item would need to pass two City Commission votes in order to go on the November ballot for Miami voters to give final approval.
    Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
  • The body needs to move—and walking has become my own little act of self-care.
    María Quiles, Vogue, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Seyfried asked Brody of the next film, who said he hadn’t been contacted about the project but noted that his character died.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • Giselle, a cheery woman in her forties from Yorkshire, England, asked.
    Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • In these turbulent times learning how to manage disputes is a must.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 12 June 2025
  • Trader Joe's mini sheet cakes are a must for many shoppers.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • The roughly two-week-long flight will be commanded by record-breaking former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who is now Axiom's director of human spaceflight.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 12 June 2025
  • The top five digital platforms (Google, Meta, ByteDance, Amazon and Alibaba) will command more than half of global ad revenue.
    Gladys Kong, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demand. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on demand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!