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
Yancy’s family is demanding that Tarrant County commissioners create an agenda item and hold a vote on seeking Waybourn’s removal, according to a news release. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2025 At special hearings organized by Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas and her former colleague Cindy Chavez, Kraft and dozens of colleagues demanded reforms and a rebalancing of a system that left too many children in dangerous homes. —Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 13 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
  • The Treasury Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
    — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of request
Noun
  • Their goal remains the same: to make something people truly want and need rather than repetitive things already in the market.
    — Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The outcomes of these talks could alter American access to Japan's lucrative auto and electronics markets, and potentially affect agricultural exports, too.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of market
Noun
  • Marrying Business Impact With Economics While the industry has witnessed a proliferation of smaller, specialized AI models, significant AI chip innovation remains essential to deliver the performance requirements for supporting advanced reasoning and multimodal models.
    — Maribel Lopez, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Clinics, meanwhile, grapple with strict 340B compliance requirements—often without adequate staff or tools to manage efficiently.
    — Craig Lebrau, USA Today, 14 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
  • There needs to be a continuation of the Behavioral Threat Assessment process to include colleges and Universities.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Boone was asked if Chisholm needs to find a better way to control his emotions.
    — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of need
Verb
  • 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
  • This included when one circuit asked fans of Minions: The Rise of Gru to stop throwing bananas (talk about a slippery slope!).
    — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of ask
Noun
  • Safety glasses are a must, and hearing protection is essential when working with loud equipment.
    — Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But if Mom can’t stand the thought of leaving the house without her hair in place, this beauty buy is a must.
    — Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 9 Apr. 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 23 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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