request 1 of 2

Definition of requestnext
1
as in question
an act or instance of asking for information the medical columnist is unable to answer individual requests for specific information on various disorders

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in demand
the state of being sought after especially for purchase reliable babysitters are much in request, especially on weekends

Synonyms & Similar Words

request

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word request distinct from other similar verbs?

The words ask and solicit are common synonyms of request. While all three words mean "to seek to obtain by making one's wants known," request implies greater formality and courtesy.

requests the pleasure of your company

In what contexts can ask take the place of request?

While in some cases nearly identical to request, ask implies no more than the statement of the desire.

ask a favor of a friend

When is it sensible to use solicit instead of request?

The words solicit and request are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, solicit suggests a calling attention to one's wants or desires by public announcement or advertisement.

a letter soliciting information

How is the word request distinct from other similar verbs?

The words ask and solicit are common synonyms of request. While all three words mean "to seek to obtain by making one's wants known," request implies greater formality and courtesy.

requests the pleasure of your company

In what contexts can ask take the place of request?

While in some cases nearly identical to request, ask implies no more than the statement of the desire.

ask a favor of a friend

When is it sensible to use solicit instead of request?

The words solicit and request are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, solicit suggests a calling attention to one's wants or desires by public announcement or advertisement.

a letter soliciting information

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 request
Noun
Spandrel did not respond to a request for comment. Desiree Mathurin april 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026 The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union representing federal workers, did not respond to requests for comment. Amanda Seitz, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
In the lawsuit, Becker points to state and county law that requires residents be given a chance to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses at a public hearing for a special use permit, such as the one requested by Earthrise. Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026 Cybercrime investigators from both the federal government and the LAPD have been pursuing the hack since last month, according to police sources who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the open case. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for request
Recent Examples of Synonyms for request
Noun
  • Verbeten introduced her bill at the Senate Judiciary Committee, and there were a lot of questions.
    Esme Murphy, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Have questions about ordering or a purchase?
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Public transport systems have struggled to keep up, creating demand for commercial motorcycles and auto-rickshaws.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • What stood out for me, however, was his total submission to the grating demands of retail politics.
    Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There's text messages about ordering ethylene glycol.
    Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, supreme commander of the Luftwaffe, Hitler’s second in command, and the highest-ranking surviving Nazi leader, steps out of the car, stands at attention to announce his surrender, and orders the soldiers to carry his bags.
    Alice Kaplan, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • When the opposition sought to hang posters on lampposts and utility poles, the government, invoking concerns about road safety, at one point stepped in to outlaw the practice.
    Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
  • For associations, unit owners will know what to expect in actions seeking to remove a director, and courts could become more involved in governance disputes involving dysfunctional boards, developer transitions, or allegations of financial mismanagement.
    Evonne Andris, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Aries March 21 – April 19 Your work — professional or personal — may ask a little more of you today.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Namira’s mother often asks her children to copy-edit her e-mails.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In response to a request for comment, the White House referred NBC News to the Office of Management and Budget, which did not respond to the inquiry.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Each move is supported by a dedicated specialist who guides the customer from initial inquiry through move day completion, ensuring clarity at every stage.
    NIa Bowers, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The market is still prone to big swings on developments around the war.
    Brian Dakss, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The global women’s health market, which includes treatments and care for conditions that affect women solely or disproportionately, is projected to reach $600 billion by 2030.
    Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • For one day only, a classic roadside pitstop will be transformed into a desert beauty destination, inviting guests to cruise through the brand's universe of color, glow and artistry through a series of interactive touch points.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Share your plan, then invite them to share theirs so both feel heard.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Request.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/request. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on request

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster