Demand vs. Command: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 19, 2023
"Demand" is a strong request, while "Command" is an authoritative instruction.
Key Differences
"Demand" implies a strong request made out of necessity or desire, often without authority but with expectation, while "Command" is an instruction given with authority, expecting obedience without discussion.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
"Demand" can come from anyone, based on their needs or wants, reflecting urgency or insistence, whereas "Command" is inherently tied to a position of authority or control, and its power lies in the issuer's status or role.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
"Demand" often carries a sense of negotiation, as it's a request that anticipates fulfillment but can be denied, while "Command" leaves little room for negotiation, as it's an authoritative order expecting compliance.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
"Demand" and "Command" both imply a desire for action or response, but demand suggests a transactional nature, like a customer's demand for service, while command is about directive and control, as seen in military contexts.
Sara Rehman
Oct 19, 2023
"Demand" is more often associated with economic contexts, indicating market forces and consumer interests, whereas "Command" is frequently related to hierarchical structures like the military, governance, or management in organizations.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Authority
Not required; based on urgency or need
Inherent; based on status or role
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Response
Anticipates fulfillment, can be denied
Expects compliance, authoritative
Aimie Carlson
Oct 19, 2023
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Demand and Command Definitions
Demand
Demand: a requirement or necessity.
The demand for nurses has skyrocketed recently.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 19, 2023
Demand
To ask for urgently or peremptorily
Demand an investigation into the murder.
Demanding that he leave immediately.
Demanded to speak to the manager.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
Command: to deserve and receive (respect, sympathy, attention, etc.).
Her performance commanded applause.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
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Command
To have control or authority over; rule
A general who commands an army.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
To require as useful, just, proper, or necessary; call for
A gem that demands a fine setting.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
To deserve and receive as due; exact
The troops' bravery commanded respect.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
To ask that (something) be done in accordance with a legal requirement.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
To exercise dominating, authoritative influence over
"He commands any room he enters" (Stephen Schiff).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
To dominate by physical position; overlook
A mountain commanding the valley below.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
An urgent requirement or need
The heavy demands of her job.
The emotional demands of his marriage.
An increased oxygen demand.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
(Economics) The desire for goods or services in an economy, measured as the amount people are ready to buy at a given price
Supply should rise to meet demand.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
(Computers) A signal that initiates an operation defined by an instruction.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
A request that some act be done or payment made in accordance with a legal requirement.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
Possession and exercise of the authority to command
Command of the seas.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
The desire to purchase goods and services.
Prices usually go up when demand exceeds supply.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
(economics) The amount of a good or service that consumers are willing to buy at a particular price.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
A forceful claim for something.
Modern society is responding to women's demands for equality.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
A military unit, post, district, or region under the control of one officer.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
A requirement.
His job makes many demands on his time.
There is a demand for voluntary health workers in the poorer parts of Africa and Asia.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
An urgent request.
She couldn't ignore the newborn baby's demands for attention.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
Of, relating to, or constituting a command
Command headquarters.
A command decision.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
(electricity supply) More precisely peak demand or peak load, a measure of the maximum power load of a utility's customer over a short period of time; the power load integrated over a specified time interval.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
The right or authority to order, control or dispose of; the right to be obeyed or to compel obedience.
To have command of an army
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
To claim a right to something.
The bank is demanding the mortgage payment.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
Power of control, direction or disposal; mastery.
He had command of the situation
England has long held command of the sea
A good command of language
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
A position of chief authority; a position involving the right or power to order or control.
General Smith was placed in command.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
(military) A body or troops, or any naval or military force, under the control of a particular officer; by extension, any object or body in someone's charge.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
To ask or call for with authority; to claim or seek from, as by authority or right; to claim, as something due; to call for urgently or peremptorily; as, to demand a debt; to demand obedience.
This, in our foresaid holy father's name,Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
Dominating situation; range or control or oversight; extent of view or outlook.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask, esp. in a peremptory manner; to question.
I did demand what news from Shrewsbury.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
(computing) A directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
To require as necessary or useful; to be in urgent need of; hence, to call for; as, the case demands care.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
(baseball) The degree of control a pitcher has over his pitches.
He's got good command tonight.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
To make a demand; to inquire.
The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do?
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
(ambitransitive) To order, give orders; to compel or direct with authority.
The soldier was commanded to cease firing.
The king commanded his servant to bring him dinner.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
The act of demanding; an asking with authority; a peremptory urging of a claim; a claiming or challenging as due; requisition; as, the demand of a creditor; a note payable on demand.
The demand [is] by the word of the holy ones.
He that has confidence to turn his wishes into demands will be but a little way from thinking he ought to obtain them.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
(ambitransitive) To have or exercise supreme power, control or authority over, especially military; to have under direction or control.
To command an army or a ship
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
(transitive) To require with authority; to demand, order, enjoin.
He commanded silence
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
A diligent seeking or search; manifested want; desire to possess; request; as, a demand for certain goods; a person's company is in great demand.
In 1678 came forth a second edition [Pilgrim's Progress] with additions; and then the demand became immense.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
(transitive) to dominate through ability, resources, position etc.; to overlook.
Bridges commanded by a fortified house. (Motley.)
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
That which one demands or has a right to demand; thing claimed as due; claim; as, demands on an estate.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
(transitive) To exact, compel or secure by influence; to deserve, claim.
A good magistrate commands the respect and affections of the people.
Justice commands the respect and affections of the people.
The best goods command the best price.
This job commands a salary of £30,000.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
(transitive) To hold, to control the use of.
The fort commanded the bay.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
The ability and desire to purchase goods and services;
The automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips
The demand exceeded the supply
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
An urgent or peremptory request;
His demands for attention were unceasing
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
A condition requiring relief;
She satisfied his need for affection
God has no need of men to accomplish His work
There is a demand for jobs
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge.
We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends.
Go to your mistress:Say, I command her come to me.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead.
Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries.
Such aid as I can spare you shall command.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
Required activity;
The requirements of his work affected his health
There were many demands on his time
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook.
Bridges commanded by a fortified house.
Up to the eastern tower,Whose height commands as subject all the vale.
One side commands a view of the finest garden.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
Request urgently and forcefully;
The victim's family is demanding compensation
The boss demanded that he be fired immediately
She demanded to see the manager
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to receive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price.
'Tis not in mortals to command success.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
Require as useful, just, or proper;
It takes nerve to do what she did
Success usually requires hard work
This job asks a lot of patience and skill
This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice
This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert
This intervention does not postulates a patient's consent
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.
And reigned, commanding in his monarchy.
For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman].
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
To have a view, as from a superior position.
Far and wide his eye commands.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
Awaiting what command their mighty chiefHad to impose.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
The possession or exercise of authority.
Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
Demand: a strong request.
The workers' demand for higher wages was justified.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Command
Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
Demand: the desire of purchasers, consumers, etc., for a particular commodity, service, or other item.
The demand for organic produce is growing.
Harlon Moss
Oct 19, 2023
Command
Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
The steepy standWhich overlooks the vale with wide command.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
Demand: an urgent need.
There's a high demand for water in drought-stricken areas.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Command
Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge.
He assumed an absolute command over his readers.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Demand
Demand: a call to appear or a summons.
The court issued a demand for his testimony.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 19, 2023
Command
A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
Availability for use;
The materials at the command of the potters grew
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
A position of highest authority;
The corporation has just undergone a change in command
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
Great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity;
A good command of French
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
(computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
Demand as one's due;
This speaker commands a high fee
The author commands a fair hearing from his readers
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
Exercise authoritative control or power over;
Control the budget
Command the military forces
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 28, 2022
Command
Command: to direct with specific authority or prerogative; order.
The officer commanded his troops to advance.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Command
Command: to have control or authority over; rule.
A general commands the army.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Command
Command: an authoritative order or instruction.
His command was to hold the bridge at all costs.
Janet White
Oct 19, 2023
FAQs
Can a "Demand" be passive?
Rarely, as it typically conveys urgency or insistence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Does a "Command" require authority?
Yes, it's given by someone with the power to instruct others.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Is a "Demand" always reasonable?
Not necessarily; it can be excessive or unrealistic.
Sara Rehman
Oct 19, 2023
Are "Demands" legal claims?
They can be, especially when formalized in legal contexts.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 19, 2023
Can you refuse a "Command"?
It's generally expected to be followed, but refusal is possible, often with consequences.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Can a "Command" be gentle?
It's usually firm, but the tone can be moderated depending on context.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 19, 2023
What's "in demand" mean?
It refers to something highly desired or sought after.
Harlon Moss
Oct 19, 2023
Do "Demands" require justification?
Often they're more compelling with reason, but it's not a requirement.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Does "Command" imply responsibility?
Often, as the commander is responsible for outcomes.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 19, 2023
Can "Commands" be unethical?
The ethical nature depends on the content and context.
Harlon Moss
Oct 19, 2023
Are "Commands" always serious?
Generally, but they can be lighthearted in informal settings.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
