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
Examples 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
Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
To achieve it, the state would need to add 1,135,000 in 60 months – a pace of just under 19,000 a month.
—Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Jan. 2025
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
Member states are working on tackling the need for sustainable, dignified and affordable housing across the Union.
—Sofia Celeste, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for need 
Verb
And at this moment, Los Angeles needs something to cheer about.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
To achieve it, the state would need to add 1,135,000 in 60 months – a pace of just under 19,000 a month.
—Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
Fans who want to gain access to more than ESPN sports can do so via a range of subscription options, this person says, lessening the need for Venu in the market.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
Member states are working on tackling the need for sustainable, dignified and affordable housing across the Union.
—Sofia Celeste, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
Verb
-
And with the Bears hoping to zero in on a new coach who can set a demanding tone in their locker room, hiring Campbell would require a big leap of faith.Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
-
Short-haired pets may require a quick brush once weekly, whereas long-haired breeds can benefit from daily grooming sessions.Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Earlier this season, Kody and Robyn got into an intense argument about Kody's lack of presence in his kids' lives.Hannah Sacks, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
-
The Change Healthcare attack was blamed, in part, on the lack of such a control.Tina Reed, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Multifactor authentication, which combines multiple verification methods, is a must.Joseph Ours, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
-
The racerback cut allows your arms to move, which is a must for yoga and strength-training sessions.Clint Davis, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The United States does not uphold its obligations to NATO out of some kind of misguided altruism.Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
-
The Padres reportedly needed a $50 million loan in 2023 just to meet payroll obligations.Newsweek, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In no state do TANF benefits reach even 60% of the poverty level for a family of three.Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
-
In recent years, Puerto Rico has faced the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, earthquakes, ongoing power grid failures, one of the highest poverty rates in the US, and an economic crisis.Lola Mendez, Architectural Digest, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Holly Campbell never wanted or planned to be an Instagram star.Kait Hanson, Glamour, 18 Jan. 2025
-
Apple is regularly putting pressure on the iPhone’s processor with the demands Apple Intelligence makes, especially since the company wants so much of it to be done on-device.David Phelan, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In 2025 and beyond, successful ERP customization will increasingly depend on balancing industry-specific needs with scalability requirements.Andrei Kasyanau, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
-
Indonesia also banned the sale of Google Pixel phones for failing to meet the 40 percent parts requirement.AFP, Fortune Asia, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The fires may be a natural disaster but responsibility for the way this catastrophe unfolded and caused unprecedented damage and suffering belongs to them.David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
-
Transitioning from an individual team member to a leader requires adopting new responsibilities, cultivating relationships and guiding teams toward achieving organizational goals.Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near need
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share