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to require

to require

1.1
Need something because a rule or situation makes it necessary
  • verb
  • /rɪˈkwaɪər/
translation icon : requerir
  • But I am going to require him to attend a school for special needs.
  • require time
  • require effort
  • require attention

We believe such a child would not require the trials.

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Examples

  • Some may require medication to function.

  • The Supreme Court says that freedom of speech requires that they do have that opportunity.

    Academic text (2011)
  • There are many matters that require your attention.

  • Well, it's pretty clear that this painting will require so much work.

  • We live in a time that requires us to be vigilant.

  • Making these programs more effective will require putting them at arm's length from the bureaucracy.

    Academic text (2011)
  • These tall plants here don't require as much water as you think.

  • Managing that complexity is a daunting task that requires a significant investment in software.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In the end, therefore, fundamentally reducing health-care costs requires that providers alter their recommendations.

    Academic text (2011)
  • To enroll in the course, you will require a high school diploma.

Synonyms

to need
vsto require
1.0

To require something because it is important

often links necessity to rules laws or social expectation
to take
vsto require
1.0

Need a certain amount of time or space

typically points to necessity arising from rules or expectations instead
to want
vsto require
  • Formal
5.8

To need something because it is missing

is more about necessity imposed by rules or social expectation
to involve
vsto require
1.8

Include someone or something as a necessary part of an activity

is centered on necessity due to rules laws or social expectation
to call for
vsto require
359 3.2

Need something because the situation makes it necessary

leans more toward necessity coming from rules laws or expectation
to demand
vsto require
311 2.1

To need something because a job or situation must have it

is a general necessity term often tied to rules or norms
to compel
vsto require
258 4.8

Force someone to do something or make them feel they must

relies more on formal or social rules as the source of necessity
to mandate
vsto require
  • Formal
169 4.9

To officially require someone to do something

is a more general statement of necessity tied to rules or expectations
to oblige
vsto require
  • Formal
72 4.5

To make someone do something because the law or rules say so

is broader, applying to necessity from rules expectations rather than only duty
to necessitate
vsto require
  • Formal
24 6.3

To make something needed as a result

focuses more on necessity coming from rules laws or expectations

How Forceful

to command
307 2.7
to demand
943 2.7
to require
1.1
to insist
2.8
to ask
1.0
to request
1.0

Surface Forms

require infinitive
required past
required past participle
requiring present participle
requires third person singular

Etymology

Require comes from the Latin parts re- 'again' and quaerere 'to ask' or 'to look for', and it shares the same root as request and question. So to require something is like a strong 'asking' — a rule or need that 'asks for' something, which is why require means 'to need' or 'make necessary'.