Claim: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this when you assert that something is true, often without evidence, or when you are demanding something that you believe is rightfully yours.

• She claimed that she had seen a rare bird.
• He filed a claim for damages.

This is appropriate when you need something urgently or are making a very firm request. It often has a sense of insistence and can be seen as aggressive.

• The workers are demanding better working conditions.
• He demanded an explanation from the manager.

This is suitable for politely asking for something. It is less forceful than 'demand' and does not carry the implication of a right as with 'claim'.

• May I request a copy of that document?
• They requested that all employees wear their ID badges.

This is used when formally asking for something, typically in writing, and often in a legal or official context. It usually involves collecting signatures.

• The community created a petition to stop the new construction project.
• She signed a petition for climate change action.

Use 'claim' when someone states something as a fact, often without providing proof. It can be neutral or sometimes carry a connotation of skepticism.

• He claims to have seen a UFO.
• They claim that their product is the best on the market.

Use 'assert' when someone states something confidently and forcefully as a fact. It conveys a sense of strong belief or insistence.

• She asserted her right to speak.
• They assert that their plan will work.

Use 'allege' when someone accuses or states something, but there is no proof and often it is used in legal or formal contexts. This word typically carries a negative connotation.

• The man was alleged to have committed the crime.
• She allegedly took the money without permission.

Use 'declare' when someone makes an official or formal statement, often publicly. It has a more formal and authoritative tone.

• The company declared bankruptcy.
• The president declared a state of emergency.