məs(t)
as in requirement
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
exercise is a must if you want to stay healthy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of must
Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
The humidity will go up big time from the morning to the evening, from humid to muggy, so shorts are a must, along with having the umbrella handy just in case.
—Bill Kelly, CBS News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for must
Verb
The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
Tasked with designing the FIFA KC Fan Fest site for the World Cup, Kansas City sports architecture firm Populous checked the boxes of musts to be included for the site at the World War I Museum.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
The humidity will go up big time from the morning to the evening, from humid to muggy, so shorts are a must, along with having the umbrella handy just in case.
—Bill Kelly, CBS News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for must
Recent Examples of Synonyms for must
Verb
-
My answer is: That leader shall stick with their principles.—
Alla Adam,
Forbes,
27 Jan. 2023
-
Firms with over 10 employees shall be required to consult their employees or trade unions when formulating their out-of-work policies.—
Faustine Ngila,
Quartz,
26 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
Now, the one-year grace period for the act’s mandatory registration requirements has ended, meaning agencies must be registered as model management companies or groups with the New York Department of Labor (NYDL) to better enable models to discern legitimate representation.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
19 June 2026
-
The White House promoted the work requirements along with a reduction in immigrant participants.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Recent evidence suggests more retirees are working out of necessity.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
-
In response, the store decided to move its operations elsewhere and began to focus on raising money for necessities.—
Ray Campos,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
District officials said staffing and budget decisions are made at the school and department level by building and department leaders based on the needs of individual schools and departments.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
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Adding urgency to its efforts is the need to stave off any prospect of Reform UK winning a general election.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Corridors and the lobby are open-air, cleverly arranged to ventilate naturally with the wind, meaning no air-con necessary.—
Duncan Madden,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2026
-
To avoid the hassle of scrounging in the cargo hold to access their necessaries and furry companions, when in the rearmost position, special storage bins for hand luggage or pet carriers (all of these accessories presumably Bentley branded) emerge from the floor.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Must.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/must. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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