1
as in requirements
something that someone insists upon having
agreed to the customer's demand for a refund
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in markets
the state of being sought after especially for purchase
a steadily declining demand for film cameras
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in necessities
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
1
as in requests
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
2
as in needs
to have as a requirement
a task that demands one's unremitting attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in asks
to set or receive as a price
superstars of the big screen who demand millions for appearing in a movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 demands
Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Greenland Mines Ltd is taking a more technical route, presenting the project through the formation itself and based on the practical demands of working in a remote Arctic setting.
—Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
Maritime law experts say Iran’s demands to vet or tax vessels violate international law.
—Adam Schreck, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The constantly shifting rhythm demands tactical pacing and forces runners to adapt.
—Michelle Sinclair Colman, Curbed, 7 May 2026
The physical demands of that evolution were considerable.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 May 2026
Coast Guard officials expect the autonomous systems to improve surveillance coverage without increasing crew demands.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Go into the conversation with curiosity rather than demands.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Relaxed pants Lisbon demands movement, and restrictive denim just doesn’t cut it.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Photo provided Grandmother demands justice Santana said her grandson woke up Thursday morning in a panic, and is still suffering from head and body pain.
—Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Every additional qubit demands more control and readout lines.
—William Jones, USA Today, 8 May 2026
In a culture that demands silence and conformity, her endurance becomes the loudest act of love, and his body becomes the only language left.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026
In turn, the demonstration speed limits bandwidth or throughput (the ratio of data output to data input) that industrial automation demands.
—New Atlas, 4 May 2026
Amazon employees have said that time demands while on shift forced them to urinate in bottles.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 4 May 2026
What happens if the company is unhappy with a team’s play and demands a coaching change?
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
This is an enormous problem that demands a bold, urgent solution.
—Dana Suskind, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
The demands issued to these schools also require them to produce documents regarding the display or lack thereof of the Ten Commandments and their policies regarding SB 10.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Greenland Mines Ltd is taking a more technical route, presenting the project through the formation itself and based on the practical demands of working in a remote Arctic setting.
—Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
Maritime law experts say Iran’s demands to vet or tax vessels violate international law.
—Adam Schreck, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The constantly shifting rhythm demands tactical pacing and forces runners to adapt.
—Michelle Sinclair Colman, Curbed, 7 May 2026
The physical demands of that evolution were considerable.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 May 2026
Coast Guard officials expect the autonomous systems to improve surveillance coverage without increasing crew demands.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Go into the conversation with curiosity rather than demands.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Relaxed pants Lisbon demands movement, and restrictive denim just doesn’t cut it.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
That idea, practice as the great equalizer, shapes how Plum sees her career now, in a moment that demands more from her than ever before.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Photo provided Grandmother demands justice Santana said her grandson woke up Thursday morning in a panic, and is still suffering from head and body pain.
—Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Every additional qubit demands more control and readout lines.
—William Jones, USA Today, 8 May 2026
In a culture that demands silence and conformity, her endurance becomes the loudest act of love, and his body becomes the only language left.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026
In turn, the demonstration speed limits bandwidth or throughput (the ratio of data output to data input) that industrial automation demands.
—New Atlas, 4 May 2026
Amazon employees have said that time demands while on shift forced them to urinate in bottles.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 4 May 2026
What happens if the company is unhappy with a team’s play and demands a coaching change?
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
This is an enormous problem that demands a bold, urgent solution.
—Dana Suskind, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demands
Noun
-
While the candidates’ proposals vary, many call for stronger ethics oversight, tighter campaign finance restrictions, expanded disclosure requirements and greater transparency around city spending, lobbying activity and constituent services.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
-
The legislature has also put in place more requirements for towns to have fair rent commissions, which are local bodies that have the ability to respond to complaints and regulate rents.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Allen still owns 13 network-affiliate stations in nearly a dozen markets, the Weather Channel‘s linear cable channel and digital outlets, including Pets.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Another 5 million Singapore dollars will be set aside under a separate fund to help tourism businesses expand into new markets and reduce the financial risks of expansion, Fu said.—
Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
These pants have deep pockets, perfect for holding your necessities, like your phone, wallet, and passport.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
4 May 2026
-
And because poor and many middle-class families would be the prime beneficiaries of a child tax credit, most of their state tax refunds would be quickly spent on groceries, clothing, utilities and other necessities.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The vote requests that the department’s all-civilian watchdog adopt new guidelines similar to San Francisco, which bars police officers from pulling people over for broken taillights and other minor equipment violations unless there is a safety threat.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Once a guest requests a seat, they are prompted to complete a third-party identity verification.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Who needs pretty when the food tastes this good?—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
The doctor starts with a panchakarma meditation session to determine what treatments your body needs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The spa, which feels refreshingly apart from the bustling Wisconsin Dells thanks to acres of surrounding pines, asks guests to leave the kids at home and electronics in the guest rooms.—
Jess Hoffert,
Midwest Living,
9 May 2026
-
The school asks a lot of its students.—
Steve Kastenbaum,
NPR,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Those are musts if Minnesota plans to grab a game in this trip to Colorado.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Other musts include Yummi Yarns, Burnsville Candle Company, and Something Special Gift Shop, a local favorite for 40 years.—
Kristy Tolley,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With tax-filing deadlines coming in April, the spring quarter typically requires less borrowing than other times of the year.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
-
Kornberg said the town’s attorney, Bryan Rayburn, told the council the officers’ firings hadn’t followed the town charter, which requires 30 days’ notice be given before employees can be suspended or removed.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demands. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
