Demand — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /di-ˈmand/ de·mand

Meaning & Definition of Demand

Demand (noun)

  1. an act of demanding or asking especially with authority
  2. something claimed as due or owed
  3. question

Demand (verb)

  1. to call for something in an authoritative way, to make a demand, ask
  2. to ask or call for with authority, claim as due or just
  3. to call for urgently, imperiously, or insistently

Demand (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that someone insists upon having

    "agreed to the customer's demand for a refund"

    similar: claim, dun, importunity, requisition, ultimatum
    related: desire, request, want, wish, drive, need, requirement, stipulation, basic, essential, must, imposition, condition, provision

  2. the state of being sought after especially for purchase

    "a steadily declining demand for film cameras"

    similar: call, market, request
    related: bear market, bull market, buyer's market, seller's market

  3. something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable

    "we are very confident that our new employee is fully equal to the demands of the job"

    similar: condition, essential, must, must-have, necessary, necessity, need, needful, requirement, requisite, sine qua non
    related: precondition, prerequisite, advantage, edge, plus, desideration, desideratum, wish
    opposite: nonessential, nonnecessity
    near: amenity, comfort, extra, extravagance, frill, indulgence, luxury, superfluity, surplus, surplusage

Demand (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority

    "the losing party demanded a recount of the votes cast in the election"

    similar: call (for), claim, clamor (for), command, enjoin, exact, insist (on), press (for), quest, stipulate (for)
    related: ask, plead (for), request, want, cry (for), necessitate, need, require, take, warrant, requisition, impose, badger, dun, harass, hound
    near: give up, relinquish, surrender, yield

  2. to have as a requirement

    "a task that demands one's unremitting attention"

    similar: bear, challenge, claim, necessitate, need, require, take, want, warrant, call for
    related: entail, involve, ask, beg, clamor (for), cry (for), hurt (for), lack, command, enjoin, exact, insist, press, quest, stipulate
    opposite: have, hold
    near: own, possess

  3. to set or receive as a price

    "superstars of the big screen who demand millions for appearing in a movie"

    similar: ask, charge, command
    related: overcharge, undercharge, bring, fetch, sell (for), discount, mark down, mark up, assess, bill, invoice, price, value

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Demand

The most common words with a similar meaning to Demand:

claim, dun, importunity, requisition, ultimatum, call, market, request, condition, essential, must, must-have, necessary, necessity, need, needful, requirement, requisite, sine qua non, call (for), clamor (for), command, enjoin, exact, insist (on), press (for), quest, stipulate (for), bear, challenge, necessitate, require, take, want, warrant, ask, charge, call for

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Demand

Words with the opposite meaning of Demand:

nonessential, nonnecessity, have, hold

Related Words for Demand

desire, wish, drive, stipulation, basic, imposition, provision, bear market, bull market, buyer's market, seller's market, precondition, prerequisite, advantage, edge, plus, desideration, desideratum, plead (for), cry (for), impose, badger, harass, hound, entail, involve, beg, hurt (for), lack, insist

Near Antonyms of Demand

amenity, comfort, extra, extravagance, frill, indulgence, luxury, superfluity, surplus, surplusage, give up, relinquish, surrender, yield, own, possess

Word Forms of Demand

Inflections: demanded, demanding, demands

Derived words: demandable (adjective), demander (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Demand

Middle English demaunde, demande "question, request, claim," borrowed from Anglo-French, noun derivative of demander, demaunder "to ask a question, claim as due" demand:2

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Demand

Words & Phrases Containing Demand

demand deposit, demand loan, demand note, demand-pull, demand-side, biochemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, on demand

Frequently Asked Questions about Demand

What does "Demand" mean?

"Demand" means an act of demanding or asking especially with authority. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an act of demanding or asking especially with authority. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Demand"?

Other words for "Demand" include claim, dun, importunity, requisition, ultimatum, call, market and request. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Demand" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Demand"?

There are 83 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Demand". Common alternatives include claim, dun, importunity, requisition, ultimatum, call, market, request, condition and essential.

What is the opposite of "Demand"?

Antonyms of "Demand" include nonessential, nonnecessity, have and hold. Near antonyms include amenity, comfort, extra and extravagance.

How do you use "Demand" in a sentence?

Examples of "Demand" in a sentence: "agreed to the customer's demand for a refund"; "a steadily declining demand for film cameras"; "we are very confident that our new employee is fully equal to the demands of the job".

Is "Demand" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Demand" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Demand" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Demand" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Demand"?

"Demand" is pronounced /di-ˈmand/ and divided into syllables as de·mand.