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

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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

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
Europe has called for China to voluntarily reduce hybrid car exports into the continent, but authorities in Beijing have already slapped down the request, according to the Financial Times. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 But commissioners also were paid about $2,925 in pay supplements for that pay period, according to the pay stubs sent to the Herald through a records request. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
The story also incorrectly said Animal Care Services had requested $8 million for interim improvements. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 It was reported at the time that LaBeouf was in New Orleans to be closer to family following his separation from Goth, who has also requested primary custody of their 4-year-old child in the divorce. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for request
Recent Examples of Synonyms for request
Noun
  • The Israeli authorities have questions to answer, said The Jerusalem Post.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Such plaudits raise the question of how Movistar Plus moves forward from here.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Shares of TSMC TSMC, which counts Nvidia and Apple among its customers, has been a major beneficiary of surging demand for advanced AI chips.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • So whole new genres emerged out of that demand — like reality TV stars and other characters engineered for that audience.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • All three are crime drama-thrillers, the most exportable and ordered of program types, but all three reject tropes of the genre.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The court also barred him from the train operator for 12 months, ordered 80 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity days, and ordered him to pay £5,000 in compensation to Southeastern, £150 in costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The payouts combine unpaid overtime, reimbursement for housing illegally deducted from their pay and hefty damages personally sought by investigating Prosecutor Paolo Storari, Brigatti said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
  • When a lobbyist for former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar — an electoral opponent of Tinubu — filed an amicus brief, Greenspan sought to make clear that the two were not working together.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The statement, which named neither Hur nor anyone else, accepted that every film attracts harsh reviews along with praise, and asked who could draw an exact line between fair and excessive criticism.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Last month, Cate Blanchett, from the London stage of National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre after the curtain call of Electra/Persona, asked fans to put away their cellphones.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The official inquiry held gunman Mun Se-gwang solely responsible.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is seeking to stay in power, has been criticized over the lack of an official inquiry into the attacks, as well as reports that he was warned about them in advance.
    — Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Einstein is produced by CBS Studios and has had an interesting journey to market.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Chinese EVs face only a 10% standard import duty in Britain, one of the largest major overseas markets without additional China-specific tariffs.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Irish cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, who later became known for the likes of Atonement, The Hours, Nocturnal Animals and The Greatest Showman, was actually invited by Jarman to shoot behind the scenes.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike Lonely People with Power, which featured Interpol’s Paul Banks and Boy Harsher’s Jae Matthews, At Work in the Fields of the Bomb doesn’t invite any guests.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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