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
While demand continues to grow, our commitment is to improving ad experiences rather than simply increasing the number of ads shown. —ArsTechnica, 12 June 2025 But the fossil fuel industry won’t stop winning the culture wars, and thus the political wars, until a much broader segment of the American public demands climate solutions, now. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
Verb
The Jets have a demanding schedule to begin the season. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025 Rosenzweig then demanded immediate action to address the unsafe conditions. —Charna Flam, People.com, 12 June 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
  • The Department of Homeland Security did not return a request for comment on Thursday afternoon.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
  • Representatives for Wilton Rancheria had not responded to requests for comment, as of publication.
    — Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of request
Noun
  • The chefs also had access to extraordinary local ingredients from Milan’s market, a dream for any cook.
    — Buddha Lo, People.com, 13 June 2025
  • The strike roiled markets, driving oil prices and safe havens such as gold up, and sending global stocks falling.
    — Graph Massara, semafor.com, 13 June 2025
Definition of market
Noun
  • While Hochul’s executive order bars the State Police from cooperating with immigration enforcement, the same isn’t true for the state’s myriad local cops, which have a patchwork of requirements; NYC has its own prohibitions but Rotterdam, clearly, does not.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
  • In the best of circumstances, introducing a work requirement would take meticulous planning and investment.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025
Definition of requirement
Verb
  • Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to serve in the country’s military for at least 18 months.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Effectively, people can buy the tech, know how, and assets required to set up a DIY piracy store.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 10 June 2025
Definition of require
Verb
  • Further research is needed to compare the pros and cons of top-dressing tomato plants with coffee grounds.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 June 2025
  • The body needs to move—and walking has become my own little act of self-care.
    — María Quiles, Vogue, 4 June 2025
Definition of need
Verb
  • Seyfried asked Brody of the next film, who said he hadn’t been contacted about the project but noted that his character died.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • Giselle, a cheery woman in her forties from Yorkshire, England, asked.
    — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Definition of ask
Noun
  • In these turbulent times learning how to manage disputes is a must.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 12 June 2025
  • Trader Joe's mini sheet cakes are a must for many shoppers.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 June 2025
Definition of must
Verb
  • The top five digital platforms (Google, Meta, ByteDance, Amazon and Alibaba) will command more than half of global ad revenue.
    — Gladys Kong, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • The roughly two-week-long flight will be commanded by record-breaking former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who is now Axiom's director of human spaceflight.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 12 June 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 18 Jun. 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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