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

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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
Both countries claim ownership of Preah Vihear, an 11th century Hindu temple on the border. —Kate Bartlett, NPR, 28 July 2025 Speculation surrounding Collins’ health began circulating online this week, with some social media users falsely claiming that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had entered hospice — a facility typically reserved for end-of-life care. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 28 July 2025
Noun
The motion also challenges the legitimacy of the claims made by Hylton and Vado, noting that Hylton is not a party to Vado’s contract with Beautiful Life Productions and therefore has no grounds to sue. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 29 July 2025 While the two clubs engaged in a battle that became acrimonious, amid claim and counterclaim over Mbeumo’s fee, the player himself had patience that the pieces would eventually fall into place. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 29 July 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
  • The club insisted Isak was left behind because of a minor thigh problem but The Athletic reported on Thursday sources, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to do so publicly, indicated the forward favoured being omitted amid his uncertain future.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 26 July 2025
  • But Beijing and Hong Kong insist the national security laws were necessary for the city's stability.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 July 2025
Definition of insist
Verb
  • Moreover, regenerative agriculture demands patience.
    — Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The choice to hold off on a rate cut will almost certainly result in further conflict between the Fed and White House, as Trump has repeatedly demanded that the central bank reduce borrowing costs as part of his effort to assert control over one of the few remaining independent federal agencies.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 July 2025
Definition of demand
Verb
  • In return, he was allowed to effectively destroy a nature site of great conservation value.
    — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • When the Silver Surfer arrives in New York to destroy the final teleportation tower, Johnny plays those traumatic recordings over speakers in Earth-828's version of Times Square, hoping to appeal to her empathy.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • But on a global basis, the picture is different, and this needs to be investigated because global warming is the real issue.
    — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Regardless of how the department handles legal settlements, Bey said, the flow of money to cover police misconduct needs to stop.
    — Kennedy Sessions, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2025
Definition of need
Noun
  • Outside the Al McGuire Center, about 50 people protested Ah Yun's inauguration over Marquette's refusal to recognize a faculty union despite the Catholic church's longtime stance of supporting workers' right to unionize.
    — Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
  • Immigrant children have been guaranteed a legal right to attend public schools since 1982 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states can’t deny children a free public education based on their immigration status.
    — Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Definition of right
Noun
  • Joe and Clara Tsai, who had reportedly bought the New York Liberty for something like ten million dollars a few years ago, had recently sold a stake in the team at a valuation of four hundred and fifty million.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 27 July 2025
  • Cucumbers that have been dislodged from trellises and stakes should then be resecured to their supports using plant clips or garden twine.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 July 2025
Definition of stake
Noun
  • Phelan batted aside several assertions, saying the measure targets candidates and campaign operatives who would deceive voters with fake images that often look real.
    — John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • There are four myths here, beginning with the assertion that the recession was caused by too much private sector greed and risk-taking and too little government supervision.
    — John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Definition of assertion
Noun
  • Sauk County Sheriff Chip Meister did not respond to requests for comment.
    — Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • Challenge manufacturing did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
    — Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 24 July 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 6 Aug. 2025.

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