1
as in required
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
an emissions test is necessary before you can renew the registration for your car
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2
as in inevitable
impossible to avoid or evade
taxes will always be a necessary evil
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3
as in essential
impossible to do without
food and water are necessary for survival
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as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
a modest income that provided the family with only the necessaries of life
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of necessary
Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
How long can Johnson — and Trump — keep them striking that balance?
Footnotes
*Granted, this is eight more than were necessary last Congress, when just a single Republican could introduce a motion to vacate.
—G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, 11 Oct. 2019
Everyday necessaries such as Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco have missed time, too.
—Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 13 June 2019
See all Example Sentences for necessary 
Adjective
The twisted humor isn’t entirely gone, but the jokes and quirky details mostly take a backseat to the drama, as the firm scrambles to get back to business as usual by any means necessary.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
How long can Johnson — and Trump — keep them striking that balance?
Footnotes
*Granted, this is eight more than were necessary last Congress, when just a single Republican could introduce a motion to vacate.
—G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
Tramontana trotted downstairs, grabbed the necessaries and made the carbonara — but the experience lingered.
—Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, 11 Oct. 2019
Everyday necessaries such as Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco have missed time, too.
—Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 13 June 2019
See all Example Sentences for necessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessary
Adjective
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They’re often infused with local fruit; others contain ginger beer for a spicy-sweet flavor, or tonic or club soda for the required fizz.Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
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The company repeatedly violated state laws without consequences, including closing hospital units without required notice.Mike Deehan, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Most economists had predicted a recession was inevitable.Susan Page, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
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Winning the Week The CEO of TKO Group Holdings — parent company of both WWE and UFC — enjoyed Monday night’s successful WWE debut on Netflix, which has industry observers (including me) wondering whether a high-dollar Netflix bid on at least some of UFC’s upcoming TV rights is inevitable.Dan Shanoff, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Vogue Daily newsletter Get essential fashion, style, and tips, in your inbox.Emma Specter, Vogue, 16 Jan. 2025
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For Orr, ensuring a company's stock price aligns with its true value is essential for protecting its reputation and ensuring long-term success.Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Multifactor authentication, which combines multiple verification methods, is a must.Joseph Ours, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
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This voyage into the future of stylish drinking is a must for all 'Star Trek' - and cocktail - fans.Jeff Spry, Space.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The four-day firestorm has resulted in 10 deaths so far, with more than 9,000 structures damaged or destroyed and more than 150,000 people still under mandatory evacuation orders, as of Friday afternoon.Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
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Here's where mandatory evacuation orders are in place for Californians.Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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During the day, open curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible.Cathy Habas, SELF, 17 Jan. 2025
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The disease can affect the colon and rectum and can weaken the body, leading to possible life-threatening complications.Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In 2025 and beyond, successful ERP customization will increasingly depend on balancing industry-specific needs with scalability requirements.Andrei Kasyanau, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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Discovery in February over their requirement that Fubo carry dozens of non-sports channels as a condition to offer sports networks as well as those companies’ plan to launch a new competitor, Venu Sports.Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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With the area now under a compulsory evacuation order, even those whose homes survived the inferno need to go elsewhere for the foreseeable future.CBS News, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2025
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Less than half of workers age 62-64 wanted to retire, and almost 90% believed that there should be no compulsory retirement at 65.James Chappel / Made by History, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Necessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessary. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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