noun / verb
demand
dih-MAND/dɪmˈænd/
A strong requirement or request for something.
The woman demands the keys, extending her palm toward the man holding them.
Etymology
The intensive prefix joins a verb meaning “order” or “entrust,” forming an ancestor meaning “charge with a commission.” The sense shifted to requesting, with legal use supplying the idea of asking as a right.
In context
to demand a ceasefire and to insist that this death and devastation is not in our name
More examples
- She demands an explanation for the missing money.
- The job places heavy demands on his time.
- Demand for winter coats rises as temperatures fall.
Forms
demand · demands · demanded · demanding
demanding adjective — Requiring much time, effort, or attention.
Similar words
- request
- An act of asking that need not be forceful.
- requirement
- Something necessary or compulsory, not merely asked for firmly.