1
as in to require
to have as a requirement
a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in lack
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
when it came time to wrap the presents, he found he was in need of adhesive tape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
got a job that barely provided for his basic needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obligation
something one must do because of prior agreement
no need to apologize
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
donating money to help those in need
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of need
Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
Parker Posey needed to prove herself all over again when making the jump from indie films to Hollywood productions.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 June 2025
April Roach, CNBC, 3 June 2025
The bill defines companion chatbots as AI systems capable of meeting the social needs of users.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for need
Verb
The item would need to pass two City Commission votes in order to go on the November ballot for Miami voters to give final approval.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
Parker Posey needed to prove herself all over again when making the jump from indie films to Hollywood productions.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 June 2025
Noun
The leaders of the other coalition parties accused Wilders of putting his own interests ahead of the needs of the country.
—April Roach, CNBC, 3 June 2025
The bill defines companion chatbots as AI systems capable of meeting the social needs of users.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
Verb
-
Visiting remote stretches of coast, pristine beaches, or villages that receive few tourists typically requires an explorer yacht that can be self-sufficient for several days.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
30 May 2025
-
Amorim requires a new centre forward to lead the line, but has missed out on landing Liam Delap after the Ipswich Town striker reportedly decided to join Chelsea instead.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Brandon Bell/Getty Images What To Know A chronic lack of inventory, partially due to the fact that homebuilders in the U.S. significantly underbuilt in the years following the 2008 crash, contributed to bringing U.S. home prices through the roof in recent years.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
-
In American literature, this is perhaps a relatively recent phenomenon too, one that could be attributed to a lack of global (and local) educational foundation.—
Aram Mrjoian
June 6,
Literary Hub,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Plus, opting for styles in breezy linen is an absolute must for summer’s hotter weather.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
29 May 2025
-
But Tyler, the Creator believes delusion is a must for artists and creatives across the board.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The stakes are high: the Alliance wants to place the city’s homelessness programs into receivership, effectively removing control from Mayor Karen Bass, on the grounds that the city is not meeting its legal obligations for providing such services.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
-
If another front office sees Holiday’s contract as positive value, the Celtics should strike quickly, but (justifiably!) paying him produced a remaining obligation that is below water.—
Danny Leroux,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
It’s been 14 years since the Census Bureau began issuing reports on poverty that factored in the cost of living.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2025
-
Those who qualify have income at or below four times the federal poverty level of $32,150 for a family of four or have medical debt that is 5% or more of their income.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Leslie Cooley Dismukes, the new leader of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, wants North Carolina to get closer to the Mandela Rules, named after the late South African president Nelson Mandela.—
Gavin Off,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
-
Barkov would probably want that spread around to the rest of the team.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
The requirement to check in 60 minutes before an international flight remains unchanged.—
Dennis Green,
AFAR Media,
2 June 2025
-
During their last meeting in May, both countries agreed to exchange their requirements for a ceasefire.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
The president does not have the power to appoint the NPG director; instead, that responsibility is meant to be in the hands of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
-
In difficult moments Bruno is the guy who takes responsibility.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share