claim 1 of 2

verb

ˈklām How to pronounce claim (audio)
Definition of claimnext
1
as in to insist
to state as a fact usually forcefully people who claim that they have been kidnapped by aliens from other worlds

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to demand
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority after many years had passed, he suddenly appeared to claim his inheritance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to destroy
to deprive of life cancer claims hundreds of thousands of Americans each year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to need
to have as a requirement caring for her three small children claims virtually all of her time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

claim

2 of 2

noun

1
as in right
an entitlement to something I'm announcing my claim to that last slice of pizza

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stake
a legal right to participation in the advantages, profits, and responsibility of something a shareholder has a claim in the business

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in assertion
a solemn and often public declaration of the truth or existence of something Galileo's claim that the moon has a very irregular surface and thus is not the perfect sphere that the ancients had imagined

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in request
something that someone insists upon having young children make great claims on their parents' time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb claim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of claim are demand, exact, and require. While all these words mean "to ask or call for something as due or as necessary," 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

In what contexts can demand take the place of claim?

The synonyms demand and claim are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 would exact be a good substitute for claim?

The words exact and claim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.

exacts absolute loyalty

Where would require be a reasonable alternative to claim?

In some situations, the words require and claim 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 claim
Verb
The drone's electric propulsion is also substantially quieter than typical drones, registering as nearly silent at 100 meters, a performance detail that impressed demo audiences and makes the aircraft ideal for urban operations, the company claims. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025 Trump has also attacked several elite universities — particularly Columbia and Harvard — promising to cut funding by claiming the schools aren’t doing enough to fight antisemitism on campus. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
Noun
Speaking with Gayle King for CBS Mornings, the Broadway star discussed LuPone’s claim that the two women are not friends. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 30 May 2025 Government attorneys requested the dismissal of his asylum claim. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for claim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claim
  1. insist
  2. demand
  3. destroy
  4. need
  5. right
  6. stake
  7. assertion
  8. request
Verb
  • Texas Central insists it was not reliant on the funding and is continuing with its plans.
    — James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
  • Her father’s second-in-command, the handsome Jack Dean, insists family members play fair in obeying their father’s will.
    — Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Definition of insist
Verb
  • While Venis, Randall and Hugo hold firm that no one should slow down technological advancement just to prevent people from using it for evil, the government and the media begin demanding that Venis step up and solve the problem.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 31 May 2025
  • The Hillsborough Family Support Group spent decades demanding further investigations take place.
    — Julia Andersen, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Definition of demand
Verb
  • The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea from a group of Native American activists and supporters to block a copper mining company from destroying an Apache religious site.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2025
  • During the week of my embed, the Russian military identified and destroyed a few of the Vampire pilots’ positions.
    — Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Atlantic, 27 May 2025
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • On most legislation, Republicans typically need 10 Democratic votes to bypass the 60-vote filibuster threshold.
    — Riley Beggin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Judge Tony Baumgartner dictated additional terms, stating that the court needed to be aware of where Brown resided.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of need
Noun
  • Instead, the court said that the right to claim burdens on executive functions belongs to the president, not to his opponents in the case.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 30 May 2025
  • If your submission is selected for inclusion in the NPR News Quiz, you will be acknowledged in a list of contributors on NPR's website or otherwise receive appropriate credit, but failure to do so shall not be deemed a breach of your rights.
    — Holly J. Morris, NPR, 30 May 2025
Definition of right
Noun
  • As that stack grows to include 6G and quantum, U.S. global infrastructure leadership is at stake.
    — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • In late 2022, BBC Studios Productions had taken a 25 percent stake in the company.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
Definition of stake
Noun
  • Of greatest concern was their assertion that Volvo Trucks will not be producing autonomy-ready trucks starting in 2027 as has been stated by both companies.
    — Richard Bishop, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The memorandum also points out that hearsay—meaning a statement made out-of-court used to prove the truth of an assertion—may be considered in opposing a motion for summary judgment.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of assertion
Noun
  • The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Petrovich did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2025
Definition of request

Browse Nearby Words

clads
claim
claimant
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Cite this Entry

“Claim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claim. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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