demand 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈmand How to pronounce demand (audio)
Definition of demandnext
1
as in request
something that someone insists upon having agreed to the customer's demand for a refund

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in market
the state of being sought after especially for purchase a steadily declining demand for film cameras

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in requirement
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

demand

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to request
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 to need
to have as a requirement a task that demands one's unremitting attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to ask
to set or receive as a price superstars of the big screen who demand millions for appearing in a movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb demand contrast with its synonyms?

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

While in some cases nearly identical to demand, 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

When could exact be used to replace demand?

The words exact and demand can be used in similar contexts, but exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.

exacts absolute loyalty

When is require a more appropriate choice than demand?

In some situations, the words require and demand 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 demand
Noun
Oil prices had plunged as investors feared a potential global recession could sap demand for travel, transportation and shipping — all of which require fuel. —John Towfighi, David Goldman and Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025 Crucially, Jones said that a recession could lead to softer home prices, but that would be the result of a significant drop in buyer demand. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
Related Articles For retailers, the road ahead demands resilience, adaptability and investment in forward-looking strategies. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025 Full Story Tax Watch House demands steeper spending cuts from Senate Welcome to Tax Watch, a new feature focused on the fight over tax reform and the push to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts this year. —Aris Folley, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demand
  1. request
  2. market
  3. requirement
  4. require
  5. need
  6. ask
  7. must
  8. command
Noun
  • Representatives for Ventura and Combs have not responded to PEOPLE's request for comment.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Justice Department officials did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
    — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of request
Noun
  • Hoka is widely known for making some of the most comfortable and supportive sneakers on the market (and discounting its offerings), so don’t let your closet go into spring without fresh kicks from this drop.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 2 Apr. 2025
  • After nearly a year on the market, he’s finally managed to offload his longtime New York City bachelor pad in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, just minutes away from the highly popular, elevated High Line park.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of market
Noun
  • The Transportation Security Administration confirmed to USA TODAY that the agency still had plans to enforce the identification requirement for every adult traveler starting Wednesday, May 7.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
  • This can provide the agility needed to shift workloads across different providers as strategic requirements change.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of requirement
Verb
  • That case, in federal court in New Jersey, seeks an order that would require Khalil's release and the rescinding of the Rubio determination.
    — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The premise requires both actors not just to showcase a fiery vulnerability, but to stew in these feelings for extended periods, which benefits from Nabulsi’s straightforward, no-frills presentation.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of require
Verb
  • Jones will need to undoubtedly run a personal best in the 100-meters to walk home with $100,000.
    — Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Those grasping hopefuls will need to busy themselves elsewhere.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of need
Verb
  • Now the Mediterranean-style digs high above Malibu Canyon have popped up for sale, asking a speck under $13 million.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Her mom has successfully kept her isolated from her grandfather even though Hazel has asked a lot about him and shown interest in getting to know him.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of ask
Noun
  • The scene will portray oil workers getting in their trucks and heading to work, thus a dirty vehicle is a must.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Double Imperative Having two ovens – whether in a wall installation or as part of a range – is a must, Silverman declares.
    — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of must
Verb
  • The camera responded instantly to my Alexa voice commands to stream video to an Amazon Echo Show display.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Rema commanded a lively crowd at the Moody Theatre headlining the fourth night of Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase at SXSW in Austin.
    — Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of command

Browse Nearby Words

demagogues
demand
demanded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demand. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on demand

Nglish: Translation of demand for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about demand

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