demand

How much people want or need something.

• Demand for water rises in summer.
• We cannot meet the demand for housing.
• Has demand fallen this year?

How to use it: demand for something (There is growing demand for evening classes.)

Similar words: need

Common phrases: demand for something, high demand, growing demand, meet demand

A strong request that someone must give you something or do something.

• They refused his demand for money.
• The workers made several demands.
• Her demand for an apology surprised me.

How to use it: demand for something (The workers repeated their demand for higher pay.); demand that… (She made a demand that the charges be dropped.)

Similar words: insistence, request

Common phrases: demand for something, make a demand, reject a demand, demand for equality

Something difficult that uses your time, energy, or attention.

• The job makes heavy demands on me.
• She struggled with the demands of caring for twins.
• Can our staff cope with these extra demands?

How to use it: demands on someone/something (The job places heavy demands on her time.); demands of something (He struggles with the demands of parenthood.)

Similar words: requirements, pressures

Common phrases: demands on someone, demands of something, heavy demands

To say firmly that you must have something or that something must happen.

• I demand an apology.
• She demanded to know where her bag was.
• The passengers are demanding their money back.

How to use it: demand something (She demanded an explanation.); demand that… (They demanded that the road be repaired.); demand to do something (He demanded to speak to the owner.)

Similar words: insist on, require

Common phrases: demand an answer, demand a refund, demand to know, demand an explanation

To need a particular amount of effort, attention, or skill.

• This work demands patience.
• The difficult climb demanded all our strength.
• Teaching young children demands constant attention.

How to use it: demand something of someone (This job demands a great deal of its staff.)

Similar words: require, need

Common phrases: demand attention, demand patience, demand skill

To firmly ask for something that you believe you have a right to receive.

• The bank demanded repayment.
• She is demanding compensation for the damage.
• They demanded the money they were owed.

How to use it: demand something from someone (The landlord demanded payment from the tenant.)

Similar words: claim, require

Common phrases: demand payment, demand compensation, demand repayment