require

verb

re·quire ri-ˈkwī(-ə)r

required; requiring

Synonyms of require next

transitive verb

: to claim or ask for by right and authority

archaic : request

: to call for as suitable or appropriate

the occasion requires formal dress

: to demand as necessary or essential : have a compelling need for

all living beings require food

: to impose a compulsion or command on : compel

chiefly British : to feel or be obliged

—used with a following infinitive

one does not require to be a specialist—

Elizabeth Bowen

intransitive verb

archaic : ask

Choose the Right Synonym for require

demand, claim, require, exact 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

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

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

exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.

exacts absolute loyalty

Examples of require in a Sentence

the toy requires four batteries, which are not included

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Game Assist requires the Beta or Preview channel of Microsoft Edge. —

Wes Davis, The Verge, 23 Nov. 2024 Meanwhile, in Congress, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) recently introduced the SAFE Bet Act, which would require states to secure the consent of the Justice Department to offer legalized sports betting. —

Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Nov. 2024 Looking ahead, the evolution of AI will require the continued development of edge computing infrastructure. —

Cristian Randieri, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 Initially constructed between 1973 and 1993, the CAP already requires custom parts for its pumps, which no manufacturers still produce. —

Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for require

Word History

Etymology

Middle English requeren, from Anglo-French requere, from Vulgar Latin *requaerere to seek for, need, require, alteration of Latin requirere, from re- + quaerere to seek, ask

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler

The first known use of require was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Require.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/require. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

require

verb

re·quire ri-ˈkwī(ə)r

required; requiring

: to have a need for

a game that requires skill

: order entry 1 sense 2a

the law requires that everyone pay the tax

Last Updated: 28 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

victuals

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

require

verb

Synonyms

Examples of require in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near require

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition