demand
[verb]
Synonyms:
- request, ask, challenge, inquire, interrogate, question
- require, call for, cry out for, entail, involve, necessitate, need, want
- claim, exact, expect, insist on, order
[noun]
Synonyms:
- request, inquiry, order, question, requisition
- need, call, claim, market, requirement, want

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Contrasted words: cede, relinquish, resign, waive, allow, concede, grant, give, offer, tender
Related Idioms: need (or want), doing, stand in need of
Related Words: ask, request, bid, charge, command, direct, enjoin, order, cite, summon, summons, coerce, compel, constrain, force, oblige, necessitate, fail, lack, need, want

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English Thesaurus: ask for, order, demand, request, beg/plead, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. de‧mand¹ S2 W1 /dɪˈmɑːnd $ dɪˈmænd/ noun
[Word Family: noun: demand, demands; verb: demand; adjective: demanding ≠ UNDEMANDING]

1. [singular, uncountable] the need or desire that people have for particular goods and services:
Production is increasing faster than demand.
demand for
the demand for new housing
in demand (=wanted)
As a speaker he was always in demand. ⇒ supply and demand

2. [countable] a very firm request for something that you believe you have the right to get:
demonstrations in support of the nationalists’ demands
demand for
their demand for higher salaries
demand that
demands that he should resign

3. demands [plural] the difficult, annoying, or tiring things that you need to do, or a skill you need to have
demands of
the demands of modern life
demands on
The curriculum makes great demands on the teacher.
There are heavy demands on people’s time these days.
place/put demands on/upon somebody/something
the increased demands placed on police officers

4. popular demand when a lot of people have asked for something to be done, performed etc
by/due to popular demand (=because of popular demand)
The exhibition will run for an extra week, due to popular demand.

5. on demand formal whenever someone asks:
Should you feed your baby on demand, or stick to a timetable?

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. demand² W2 verb [transitive]
[Word Family: noun: demand, demands; verb: demand; adjective: demanding ≠ UNDEMANDING]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: demander, from Latin mandare 'to order']

1. to ask for something very firmly, especially because you think you have a right to do this:
Angry demonstrators demanded the resignation of two senior officials.
demand to know/see/have etc something
I demand to know what’s going on.
demand that
They demanded that the military government free all political prisoners.
demand something of somebody
It seemed that no matter what she did, more was demanded of her.
‘Where are you going?’ she demanded angrily.
► Do not say ‘demand for something’. Say demand something: I demand my money back! (NOT I demand for my money back!)

2. if one thing demands another, it needs that thing in order to happen or be done successfully:
Too many things demanded his attention at the same time.
It’s a desperate situation demanding a desperate remedy.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

demand
noun
I. firm request
ADJ. legitimate, realistic, reasonable I think your demand for higher wages is perfectly reasonable.
unrealistic, unreasonable | radical | urgent | central, key, main, major | fresh, new, renewed There have been renewed demands for the government to take action to reduce crime.
growing, increasing | final A final demand for payment had been issued.
written | financial, political | government, opposition, popular, public, royal, union The management had no intention of meeting union demands.
pay, ransom, tax, wage A ransom demand has been made for the kidnapped racehorse.
VERB + DEMAND issue, make, present, press, put forward Demands have been made for the immediate distribution of food to the refugees.
renew, repeat, step up Campaigners have stepped up their demands for immediate government action.
face | respond to | agree to, give in to, meet, satisfy, yield to My government cannot give in to the demands of an illegal organization.
reject, resist
PREP. on ~ Campaigners insist that abortion should be available on demand.
~ for, ~ from demands from the opposition for a recount of the votes

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

demand
II. need/desire for goods/services
ADJ. big, buoyant, considerable, enormous, great, heavy, high, huge, insatiable, peak, strong, unprecedented Demand for the product is buoyant. There's always a great demand for our soups in winter.
burgeoning, growing, increased/increasing, rising | excess, extra | constant, steady She is in constant demand to make public appearances and give interviews.
changing, fluctuating, seasonal | current, future | latent, likely, pent-up, potential, projected, prospective | overall, total We can estimate that total market demand for electrical goods will rise by 8%.
declining, falling, limited, low, reduced, sluggish | consumer, customer, market, popular, public By popular demand, the play will run for another week.
domestic, export, foreign, local, world, worldwide The slowdown in domestic demand was offset by an increase in exports.
electricity, energy, housing, labour, etc.
QUANT. level a high level of demand
VERB + DEMAND cope with, meet, satisfy The factories are staying open all weekend to try to meet the consumer demand for this product.
create, generate It is the job of the marketing manager to create demand for the new product.
boost, increase, stimulate | reduce | exceed, outstrip Supply normally exceeds demand for the bulk of consumer goods.
forecast It can be difficult to forecast demand in the construction industry.
manage policies aimed at managing demand
DEMAND + VERB grow, increase, rise Demand for personal computers has risen sharply.
decline, fall, slow (down) As demand slows, the need to export will return.
PREP. in ~ These old machines are still in demand.
~ among the potential demand among children
~ for increased demand for health products
~ from the demand from consumers
~ on This section of the population makes a high demand on health care resources.
PHRASES supply and demand the law of supply and demand
 ⇒ Special page at BUSINESS

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

demand
III. demands: difficult/tiring things you have to do
ADJ. considerable, enormous, excessive, extra, great, heavy, high, impossible I think the demands of this job are excessive.
exacting, pressing | growing, increasing | competing, conflicting, contradictory | day-to-day, everyday the day-to-day demands of the job
immediate the need for scientific research freed from the immediate demands of industry
external The person who cannot say ‘no’ to others' requests is likely to be overwhelmed by external demands.
economic, emotional, financial, physical, practical, sexual, social, technical Life is hard for nurses on children's wards, where the emotional demands can be overwhelming.
VERB + DEMAND impose, make, place My elderly parents make a lot of demands on me.
respond to | cope with coping with the conflicting demands of work and family life
PREP. ~ on/upon My work seems to make more and more demands on my time.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

demand
verb
ADV. aggressively, angrily, coldly, fiercely, furiously, harshly, indignantly, irritably, roughly, sharply ‘Where are the keys?’ she demanded angrily.
PREP. from He had demanded money from her.
of They failed to provide the information demanded of them.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

demand

high (=a lot of people want something)
Demand for housing is higher than ever.
low (=not many people want something)
Recently the demand for new cars has been relatively low.
a big demand
There’s always a big demand for photographs of celebrities.
a great/huge demand (=very big)
There is a huge demand for business software and services.
increased/increasing/growing demand
One of the problems is the growing demand for housing.
falling demand (=decreasing)
the falling demand for coal
consumer demand (=the desire of consumers to buy goods)
Consumer demand for new technology is strong.
meet/satisfy demand (=supply as much as people need or want)
There are reports that the company cannot produce enough to meet demand.
keep up with demand (also keep pace with demand) (=satisfy the demand)
Public funding for higher education has not kept up with demand.
cope with demand (=satisfy demand)
The existing services were not capable of coping with the demand for advice.
increase/boost demand
A very hard winter boosted the demand for natural gas.
reduce demand
Higher interest rates reduces the demand for credit.
demand rises/increases
Demand for energy has continued to rise.
demand falls (=becomes lower)
Demand for the products has fallen in the last six months.
be much in demand (also be in great demand) (=be wanted by a lot of people)
Fuel-efficient cars are now much in demand.
supply outstrips/exceeds demand (=more is available than people need or want)
In the 1980s, the supply of grain far exceeded the demand.
a lack of demand
Many factories closed through lack of demand.
a surge in demand (=a sudden increase)
There’s often a surge in demand for the Internet at the weekend.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

demand
I.
noun
BAD: The demand of butter has decreased in recent years.
GOOD: The demand for butter has decreased in recent years.

Usage Note:
a demand for sth (NOT of ): 'Ford has increased production to meet the demand for its new range of cars.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

demand
II.
verb
BAD: In my new job I am demanded to work overtime.
GOOD: In my new job I am required to work overtime.

Usage Note:
If you have to do something because of a rule, law etc, you are required to do it: 'Under the law the President is required to notify Congress when US troops face imminent hostilities.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

ask for to tell someone you want them to give you something:
I’m going to ask for a pay rise.
order to ask for food or drink in a restaurant:
We ordered some more coffee.
Have you ordered yet?
demand to ask for something in a firm way, insisting that someone gives you what you ask for:
They’re demanding immediate payment.
If the goods are faulty, you can demand a refund.
request formal to ask for something:
The pilot requested permission to land.
I enclose the information you requested.
beg/plead to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it:
He begged me for some money.
I’m not going to plead for forgiveness.
nag/pester to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way:
She keeps nagging me for a new phone.
People were pestering him for his autograph.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

ask to speak or write to someone to get an answer:
Did you ask about the price?
They asked me a lot of questions.
inquire/enquire /ɪnˈkwaɪə $ -ˈkwaɪr/ formal to ask someone for information about something:
I’m writing to inquire about the job that was advertised in yesterday’s ‘Times’.
demand especially written to ask a question in a firm or angry way:
‘Why didn’t you call me?’, she demanded.
interview to ask someone questions, to find out if they are suitable for a job, or as part of a television or radio interview:
When they interviewed me for the job, they didn’t mention the salary.
David Letterman has interviewed all the stars.
poll to officially ask a lot of people in order to find out their opinion on something:
Over 1,000 people were polled for the report.
64% of the people we polled said that they approved of the way the government had handled the crisis.
question/interview to ask someone a lot of questions in order to get information about a crime:
He was arrested and questioned by the police.
Detectives are interviewing the father of the missing girl.
interrogate to ask someone a lot of detailed questions, often in an aggressive way:
The men were interrogated by the US authorities for over six hours.
cross-examine to ask someone questions in court about the statements they made:
A second lawyer began to cross-examine the witness.
somebody is helping the police with their inquiries formal used in news reports when saying that the police are asking someone questions about a crime – especially when they think this person is guilty, but have not yet charged them:
He is helping the police with their inquiries in connection with the murder of Diane Jones.
ask for to tell someone you want them to give you something:
I’m going to ask for a pay rise.
order to ask for food or drink in a restaurant:
We ordered some more coffee.
Have you ordered yet?
request formal to ask for something:
The pilot requested permission to land.
I enclose the information you requested.
beg/plead to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it:
He begged me for some money.
I’m not going to plead for forgiveness.
nag/pester to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way:
She keeps nagging me for a new phone.
People were pestering him for his autograph.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

insist to say firmly that someone should do something or that something should happen:
She insisted that it was her turn to drive.
demand to say very strongly and sometimes angrily that you want something or that something must happen:
I wrote a letter to the company, demanding an apology and a refund.
The guards demanded to see her ID.
require [usually passive] formal if you are required to do something, a rule or law says that you must do it:
The successful applicant will be required to sign a two-year contract.
be adamant to say very firmly that something must happen or is right, and refuse to change your mind when other people try to persuade you:
The actress has always been adamant about keeping her private life private.
won’t take no for an answer informal to insist that someone must do what you say or ask:
You’re coming home with me – I won’t take no for an answer.
put your foot down to say very firmly that someone must not do something:
Ed was talking about dropping out of school, but Mom and Dad put their foot down.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

need if you need something, you must have it, because you cannot do something without it:
I need your help.
The people desperately need food and clean water.
require formal to need something:
Children require a lot of attention.
The game requires great skill.
can’t do without something to be unable to do something without something:
A lot of people can’t do without their mobile phones.
could do with something/could use something informal to need or want something:
Shall we stop? I could do with a rest.
be desperate for something to need something urgently:
Liz was desperate for a cigarette.
The people are desperate for food.
be dependent on something/somebody to be unable to live or continue normally without something or someone:
The refugees are dependent on outside food supplies.
demand formal if one thing demands another, it needs that thing in order to happen or be done successfully:
The situation is urgent and demands immediate action.
a real/clear need (=one that really exists)
There is a real need for after-school care in our area.
an urgent need (=one that must be dealt with quickly)
The most urgent need was for more teachers.
a pressing/crying need (=a very urgent need)
There’s a crying need for more doctors and nurses.
a desperate need (=an extremely urgent need)
There is a desperate need to build more housing.
a growing/increasing need
She emphasized the growing need to deal with environmental problems.
stress/emphasize/underline the need for something (=say how important it is)
He stressed the need for better training courses.
eliminate the need for something (also obviate the need for something formal) (=make something unnecessary)
The new drug treatment eliminates the need for surgery.
a need exists
New teaching materials must be created if a need exists for them.
there is a need for something
Clearly there is a need for more research.
there is no need for something
They felt that there was no need for a formal contract.
as/if/when the need arises (=if or when something becomes necessary)
Team members move from job to job as the need arises.
if need be (=if it is necessary)
I can work during my lunch break if need be.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

question something that you ask someone, either when speaking or when writing:
Would anyone like to ask any questions?
I’ve emailed the hotel with one or two questions.
query /ˈkwɪəri $ ˈkwɪri/ especially British English a question that you ask when you are not sure you have understood something or that the information you have is correct:
If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent.
Our staff are always available to answer customers’ queries.
inquiry (also enquiry especially British English) /ɪnˈkwaɪəri $ ɪnˈkwaɪri, ˈɪŋkwəri/ a question you ask in order to get information or find out the details about something:
We’ve advertised the house, and we’ve already received lots of enquiries.
The police have been making some inquiries in the area.
request a polite or formal question asking for something that you want or need:
The bank said ‘no’ to our request for more money.
You must make your request in writing.
ask for to tell someone you want them to give you something:
I’m going to ask for a pay rise.
order to ask for food or drink in a restaurant:
We ordered some more coffee.
Have you ordered yet?
demand to ask for something in a firm way, insisting that someone gives you what you ask for:
They’re demanding immediate payment.
If the goods are faulty, you can demand a refund.
beg/plead to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it:
He begged me for some money.
I’m not going to plead for forgiveness.
nag/pester to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way:
She keeps nagging me for a new phone.
People were pestering him for his autograph.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

demand
dɪˈmɑ:nd
See: in demand

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲