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Definitions

require

[ri-kwahyuhr] / rɪˈkwaɪər /
VERB
need, want
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lack
STRONG
crave desire miss wish
WEAK
depend upon feel necessity for have need hurting for stand in need
Antonyms
STRONG
dislike hate not want
WEAK
have
VERB
ask, demand; necessitate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
call for cause compel demand expect instruct involve obligate oblige order request take
STRONG
beg beseech bid challenge claim command constrain crave direct enjoin entail exact postulate requisition solicit
WEAK
assert oneself call upon insist upon look for push for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disallow give let off offer reply stop
STRONG
answer
WEAK
dislike have not want

Usage

What are other ways to say require? The verb require, which expresses necessity, occurs most frequently in serious or formal contexts: Your presence at the hearing is required. Successful experimentation requires careful attention to detail. Lack means to be without or to have less than a desirable quantity of something: to lack courage, sufficient money, enough members to make a quorum. Need often suggests urgency, stressing the necessity of supplying what is lacking: to need an operation, better food, a match to light the fire.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"A political party cannot be formed out of nowhere… you require a very big machinery. There were also problems of finance and organisation-building, which was not easily available to us at that time."

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Companies are building increasingly large data centers, some of which require hundreds of megawatts of electricity.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

The proposed rule would require providers to review and manage liquidity risks, which may mean capping alternative investments at a modest share of the portfolio.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

We give more value to products and experiences that require us to work and to give active participation.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

“I think we should avoid asking questions like that. Just in case we accidentally hit on any code words that might require her to kick us out. Or call security.”

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.