demand 1 of 2

1
as in request
something that someone insists upon having agreed to the customer's demand for a refund

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

demand

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
  • The Treasury Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • An American citizen was held in a Florida jail at the request of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite the county judge being able to see the man’s U.S. birth certificate in court.
    Filip Timotija, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Ahead, a look at the best Korean cleansing oils on the market right now.
    Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
  • While this page supports the goal of cutting red tape and saving tax dollars, every American should be aware that the CFPB, now sidelined, has recovered over $20 billion in financial relief for U.S. consumers since Congress launched it after the 2008 market crash.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
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
Verb
  • As a result of Moms Demand Action's district-by-district advocacy, more than 11 million students across the country now live in a district that requires schools to educate parents about the critical role of secure firearm storage in keeping students safe.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Back then, most cake recipes were complicated, contained lots of ingredients, and required a mixer.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025
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
Verb
  • Councilmember Vivian Moreno expressed frustration that Get It Done is so internet-based, when many San Diegans lack access and rely on telephones to ask city officials questions or report complaints.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Healthcare providers consider your medical history and ask about symptoms.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 22 Apr. 2025
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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Demand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demand. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

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