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

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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
Abruzzo placed a public records request after CFO Ingoglia’s news conference at a West Palm Beach steakhouse and claimed Palm Beach County government had overspent by more than $344 million. Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026 Neither Amy nor Noah responded to PEOPLE's requests for comment. Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
His attorney said that Medina-Medina had requested to be sent back to Colombia, where his mother had moved, but he was transported by bus to Chicago. Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 Jack Warner didn’t much like the title, and requested it be changed to The Night Action; Reeves obliged. Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for request
Recent Examples of Synonyms for request
Noun
  • These questions have been haunting Hong Kong for over forty years, about as long as Pau has been making art.
    Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
  • Although Abel will be driving the meeting, Berkshire shareholders are likely to still poise a wide variety of questions to the company’s leadership.
    Yun Li,Alex Harring,Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Renewable energy Iggo is also keen on renewable energy, citing a recovery in stocks this year, driven by the massive demand for electricity coming from the AI trade, as well as the conflict in the Middle East.
    Michael Considine, CNBC, 2 May 2026
  • Go into the conversation with curiosity rather than demands.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Early in the morning on May 6, police in riot gear encircled the encampment and ordered everyone to clear out, arresting 64 individuals who stayed.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
  • Henry White was sentenced to 37 months in prison in December and was ordered to pay the same restitution amount as his sister, officials said.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • Taft was seeking its eighth City title and first since winning Division II in 2019.
    Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The Department of Education couldn’t be reached for comment despite a request seeking information about how the new legislation would be enforced.
    Megan Vaz, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The team asked people to memorize locations on a graph while smelling the scent of rose.
    Shayla Love, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
  • At one point, Iran asked to move its games to Mexico, but that request was rejected.
    Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • His inquiry surfaces a history of abuse, homophobia, and despair, and the film uses the tragedy to probe questions of moral accountability and collective indifference in Hong Kong.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
  • House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) cited national security and cybersecurity risks posed by reliance on Chinese models as a reason for the joint inquiry.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The carrier failed to secure a financial lifeline to continue operating, ending the discount air travel pioneer’s time in the sky, costing some 17,000 jobs and thousands of cheap flights in the market.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 May 2026
  • There are cooktop-specific cleaners on the market which can help with keeping the cooktop in good condition.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • The Montana Dinosaur Center, Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Carter County Museum invite kids and adults to uncover dinosaur fossils alongside paleontologists and staff through hands-on field experiences.
    Alex Temblador, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
  • This comes after reports that Kravitz has been invited to Swift’s wedding to NFL superstar Travis Kelce—while her fiancé was notably excluded from the guest list.
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 30 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Request.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/request. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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