need 1 of 2

verb

Definition of neednext
1
as in to require
to have as a requirement a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it

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2
as in to must
to be under necessity or obligation to you need not stand when she enters the room

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need

2 of 2

noun

ˈnēd How to pronounce need (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable got a job that barely provided for his basic needs

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3
as in obligation
something one must do because of prior agreement no need to apologize

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions donating money to help those in need

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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
Verb
Maintaining a healthy lawn is the first step to combating weeds, but sometimes additional control strategies are needed. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025 That was all Ottawa needed, as Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg stopped all 40 Florida shots that came his way. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
The organization also estimated in 2020 that 20,000 children ages 6 to 17 in Texas either were currently in or were at very high risk for out-of-home or out-of-school placement because of their mental health needs. — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2025 Laws like the Digital Choice Act allow creators and everyday people on social media to migrate their content and communities to other platforms that are better positioned to meet their needs. — Spencer Cox, Time, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
  1. require
  2. lack
  3. must
  4. obligation
  5. poverty
  6. want
  7. requirement
  8. responsibility
Verb
  • That case, in federal court in New Jersey, seeks an order that would require Khalil's release and the rescinding of the Rubio determination.
    — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The premise requires both actors not just to showcase a fiery vulnerability, but to stew in these feelings for extended periods, which benefits from Nabulsi’s straightforward, no-frills presentation.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of require
Noun
  • Still, the Mets have largely been able to overcome a lack of production at the bottom because of a strong bullpen.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Physical resistance is not required on the part of the victim to demonstrate lack of consent.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of lack
Noun
  • But if Mom can’t stand the thought of leaving the house without her hair in place, this beauty buy is a must.
    — Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Safety glasses are a must, and hearing protection is essential when working with loud equipment.
    — Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of must
Noun
  • Judge Kevin Brazile refused to grant CBS an injunction, finding that Sony is likely to prevail on its claim that CBS has failed to live up to its contractual obligations.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Even very large spending cuts will not make a meaningful dent in those existing interest obligations in a single year.
    — Alicia Parlapiano, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • Breaking Generational Poverty Cycles Head Start and Early Head Start programs are pivotal in disrupting cycles of generational poverty.
    — Rachelle Rutherford, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • If similar charges were heard in a Colorado state court, the sentence would be capped at as low as 10 days, a reflection of the state’s recognition that lengthy jail sentences for crimes of poverty are not in the public interest.
    — Jay Fisher, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of poverty
Verb
  • This is the rare situation where a team wanted a star player gone and not the other way around.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Those who don't want to risk missing out should start preparing for it now. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of want
Noun
  • This can provide the agility needed to shift workloads across different providers as strategic requirements change.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Applicants still need to meet requirements, such as having good moral character and being a lawful permanent resident at the time of their naturalization interview.
    — Celina Tebor, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of requirement
Noun
  • The strategy is straightforward: invest at least $2,000 in a company's stock to gain shareholder rights, then submit resolutions pushing for corporate responsibility.
    — Doc Louallen, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • That allowed companies to get out of the pension business, but gave employees more responsibility over their retirement funds.
    — David Morgan, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of responsibility

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nectars
need
needed
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Cite this Entry

“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on need

Nglish: Translation of need for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about need

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