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require

verb
re·​quire | \ ri-ˈkwÄ«(-É™)r How to pronounce require (audio) \
required; requiring

Definition of require

transitive verb

1a : to claim or ask for by right and authority
b archaic : request
2a : to call for as suitable or appropriate the occasion requires formal dress
b : to demand as necessary or essential : have a compelling need for all living beings require food
3 : to impose a compulsion or command on : compel
4 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
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about require

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Synonyms & Antonyms for require

Synonyms

bear, challenge, claim, demand, necessitate, need, take, want, warrant

Antonyms

have, hold

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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

 Assuming there is no language in Hazen’s contract requiring the club to grant permission to other teams, the Diamondbacks can deny permission to speak with Hazen if the Red Sox were to ask. — Nick Piecoro, azcentral, "Red Sox front office shakeup has Diamondbacks’ GM Hazen in rumor mill," 9 Sep. 2019 Documents show Chris Peyerk of Shelby Township applied last year for the permit required by the Fish and Wildlife Service to import animals protected under the Endangered Species Act. — SFChronicle.com, "News of the Day From Across the Nation," 8 Sep. 2019 The board will also review revisions and updates to board policies and administrative regulations, including one updated to reflect new law requiring districts to provide an opioid fact sheet to student athletes and parents/guardians. — Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, "On the agenda, Sept. 8," 8 Sep. 2019 Yet on Monday it is expected to lose a vote required for such an election to take place. — The Economist, "Amber Rudd quits the cabinet and the Tory party. Who’s next?," 8 Sep. 2019 Even the Obama administration, which put in place rules requiring more fuel efficient cars, conceded the purchase price would be higher as a result. — Chris Isidore, CNN, "Four automakers bucked Trump policy on emissions. Now they are under antitrust investigation," 6 Sep. 2019 They’d be required to pay five years of payroll taxes up front for each employee eliminated. — Wired, "Why American Workers Need to Be Protected From Automation," 5 Sep. 2019 Some of the steps include doubling clean energy production by 2025 and requiring passenger vehicles to have zero emissions by 2035. — Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: Fifth Texas GOP member announces retirement," 4 Sep. 2019 Only colonial assemblies could levy taxes, and all other laws required their approval as well. — Eliga Gould, The Conversation, "The American Founders made sure the president could never suspend Congress," 3 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'require.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of require

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

History and Etymology for require

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

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More Definitions for require

require

verb
How to pronounce require (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of require

formal
: to need (something)
: to make it necessary for someone to do something

See the full definition for require in the English Language Learners Dictionary

require

verb
re·​quire | \ ri-ˈkwÄ«r How to pronounce require (audio) \
required; requiring

Kids Definition of require

1 : to have a need for This trick requires skill.
2 : order entry 1 sense 2, command The law requires drivers to wear seat belts.

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More from Merriam-Webster on require

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with require

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for require

Spanish Central: Translation of require

Nglish: Translation of require for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of require for Arabic Speakers

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