Demand vs. Command: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || 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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
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Comparison Chart
Authority
Not required; based on urgency or need
Inherent; based on status or role
Negotiation
Possible and often expected
Little to no room for negotiation
Context
Economic, consumer-oriented
Hierarchical, organizational
Response
Anticipates fulfillment, can be denied
Expects compliance, authoritative
Tone
Can be insistent but lacks directive authority
Directive, authoritative
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Demand and Command Definitions
Demand
Demand: a requirement or necessity.
The demand for nurses has skyrocketed recently.
Command
Command: to have at one's disposal.
He commands six languages.
Demand
To ask for urgently or peremptorily
Demand an investigation into the murder.
Demanding that he leave immediately.
Demanded to speak to the manager.
Command
Command: to deserve and receive (respect, sympathy, attention, etc.).
Her performance commanded applause.
Demand
To claim as just or due
Demand repayment of a loan.
Command
To direct with authority; give orders to.
Demand
To ask to be informed of
Demanded an explanation for the interruption.
Command
To have control or authority over; rule
A general who commands an army.
Demand
To require as useful, just, proper, or necessary; call for
A gem that demands a fine setting.
Command
To have at one's disposal
A person who commands seven languages.
Demand
To lay legal claim to; claim formally.
Command
To deserve and receive as due; exact
The troops' bravery commanded respect.
Demand
To ask that (something) be done in accordance with a legal requirement.
Command
To exercise dominating, authoritative influence over
"He commands any room he enters" (Stephen Schiff).
Demand
To make a demand.
Command
To dominate by physical position; overlook
A mountain commanding the valley below.
Demand
An act of demanding; an urgent request.
Command
To give orders.
Demand
Something demanded
On strike until they get their demands.
Command
To exercise authority or control as or as if one is a commander.
Demand
An urgent requirement or need
The heavy demands of her job.
The emotional demands of his marriage.
An increased oxygen demand.
Command
The act of commanding.
Demand
The state of being sought after
In great demand as a speaker.
Command
An order given with authority.
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.
Command
(Computers) A signal that initiates an operation defined by an instruction.
Demand
A formal claim.
Command
The authority to command
An admiral in command.
Demand
A request that some act be done or payment made in accordance with a legal requirement.
Command
Possession and exercise of the authority to command
Command of the seas.
Demand
(Archaic) An emphatic question or inquiry.
Command
Ability to control or use; mastery
Command of four languages.
Demand
The desire to purchase goods and services.
Prices usually go up when demand exceeds supply.
Command
Dominance by location; extent of view.
Demand
(economics) The amount of a good or service that consumers are willing to buy at a particular price.
Command
The jurisdiction of a commander.
Demand
A forceful claim for something.
Modern society is responding to women's demands for equality.
Command
A military unit, post, district, or region under the control of one officer.
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.
Command
A unit of the US Air Force that is larger than an air force.
Demand
An urgent request.
She couldn't ignore the newborn baby's demands for attention.
Command
Of, relating to, or constituting a command
Command headquarters.
A command decision.
Demand
An order.
Command
Done or performed in response to a command
A command performance.
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.
Command
An order to do something.
I was given a command to cease shooting.
Demand
To request forcefully.
I demand to see the manager.
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
Demand
To claim a right to something.
The bank is demanding the mortgage payment.
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
Demand
To ask forcefully for information.
I demand an immediate explanation.
Command
A position of chief authority; a position involving the right or power to order or control.
General Smith was placed in command.
Demand
To require of someone.
This job demands a lot of patience.
Command
The act of commanding; exercise or authority of influence.
Demand
(legal) To issue a summons to court.
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.
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.
Command
Dominating situation; range or control or oversight; extent of view or outlook.
Demand
To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask, esp. in a peremptory manner; to question.
I did demand what news from Shrewsbury.
Command
(computing) A directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task.
Demand
To require as necessary or useful; to be in urgent need of; hence, to call for; as, the case demands care.
Command
(baseball) The degree of control a pitcher has over his pitches.
He's got good command tonight.
Demand
To call into court; to summon.
Command
A command performance.
Demand
To make a demand; to inquire.
The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do?
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.
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.
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
Demand
Earnest inquiry; question; query.
Command
(transitive) To require with authority; to demand, order, enjoin.
He commanded silence
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.
Command
(transitive) to dominate through ability, resources, position etc.; to overlook.
Bridges commanded by a fortified house. (Motley.)
Demand
That which one demands or has a right to demand; thing claimed as due; claim; as, demands on an estate.
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.
Demand
The asking or seeking for what is due or claimed as due.
Command
(transitive) To hold, to control the use of.
The fort commanded the bay.
Demand
The ability and desire to purchase goods and services;
The automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips
The demand exceeded the supply
Command
To have a view, as from a superior position.
Demand
An urgent or peremptory request;
His demands for attention were unceasing
Command
(obsolete) To direct to come; to bestow.
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
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.
Demand
The act of demanding;
The kidnapper's exorbitant demands for money
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.
Demand
Required activity;
The requirements of his work affected his health
There were many demands on his time
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.
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
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.
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
Command
To direct to come; to bestow.
I will command my blessing upon you.
Demand
Claim as due or just;
The bank demanded payment of the loan
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].
Demand
Lay legal claim to
Command
To have a view, as from a superior position.
Far and wide his eye commands.
Demand
Summon to court
Command
An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
Awaiting what command their mighty chiefHad to impose.
Demand
Ask to be informed of;
I demand an explanation
Command
The possession or exercise of authority.
Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion.
Demand
Demand: a strong request.
The workers' demand for higher wages was justified.
Command
Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.
Demand
Demand: the desire of purchasers, consumers, etc., for a particular commodity, service, or other item.
The demand for organic produce is growing.
Command
Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
The steepy standWhich overlooks the vale with wide command.
Demand
Demand: an urgent need.
There's a high demand for water in drought-stricken areas.
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.
Demand
Demand: a call to appear or a summons.
The court issued a demand for his testimony.
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.
Command
An authoritative direction or instruction to do something
Command
A military unit or region under the control of a single officer
Command
The power or authority to command;
An admiral in command
Command
Availability for use;
The materials at the command of the potters grew
Command
A position of highest authority;
The corporation has just undergone a change in command
Command
Great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity;
A good command of French
Command
(computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program
Command
Be in command of;
The general commanded a huge army
Command
Make someone do something
Command
Demand as one's due;
This speaker commands a high fee
The author commands a fair hearing from his readers
Command
Look down on;
The villa dominates the town
Command
Exercise authoritative control or power over;
Control the budget
Command the military forces
Command
Command: to direct with specific authority or prerogative; order.
The officer commanded his troops to advance.
Command
Command: to have control or authority over; rule.
A general commands the army.
Command
Command: an authoritative order or instruction.
His command was to hold the bridge at all costs.
FAQs
Can a "Demand" be passive?
Rarely, as it typically conveys urgency or insistence.
Does a "Command" require authority?
Yes, it's given by someone with the power to instruct others.
Is a "Demand" always reasonable?
Not necessarily; it can be excessive or unrealistic.
Are "Demands" legal claims?
They can be, especially when formalized in legal contexts.
Can you refuse a "Command"?
It's generally expected to be followed, but refusal is possible, often with consequences.
Who can make a "Demand"?
Virtually anyone, depending on the context.
What's a synonym for "Command"?
Order, directive, decree.
Can "Demand" relate to economics?
Yes, it often refers to market demand.
Can a "Command" be gentle?
It's usually firm, but the tone can be moderated depending on context.
What's "in demand" mean?
It refers to something highly desired or sought after.
Can a "Demand" be written?
Yes, it can be verbal or written.
Can "Demands" be collective?
Yes, like group or union demands.
Do "Demands" require justification?
Often they're more compelling with reason, but it's not a requirement.
Does "Command" imply responsibility?
Often, as the commander is responsible for outcomes.
Can "Commands" be unethical?
The ethical nature depends on the content and context.
Are "Commands" always verbal?
They can be verbal, written, or signaled.
Is "Command" used in computing?
Yes, as an instruction to a computer.
Is "high demand" positive?
Generally, it indicates popularity or necessity.
Are "Commands" always serious?
Generally, but they can be lighthearted in informal settings.
What's "at your command" mean?
Available for your use or action.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
