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
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Recent Examples of need
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 May 2025
Key Takeaways Compost piles that smell bad usually have poor airflow, excess moisture, or an imbalance of ingredients that needs to be corrected.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2025
Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2025
Piastri’s McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, didn’t want to comment when pressed on some of the scenes involved, respecting the need not to give away spoilers.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for need
Verb
This is occurring a quarter sooner than previously announced and will be completed without needing to retire additional debt, giving Pitney Bowes more cash flexibility going forward.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 May 2025
Key Takeaways Compost piles that smell bad usually have poor airflow, excess moisture, or an imbalance of ingredients that needs to be corrected.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2025
Noun
The legal filing, signed by Taylor, referenced the need to protect Kohberger’s constitutional rights to a fair trial, including to provide enough time for the defense to review all outstanding investigation materials to prepare to defend their client effectively.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2025
Piastri’s McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, didn’t want to comment when pressed on some of the scenes involved, respecting the need not to give away spoilers.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
Verb
-
Natural fibers like cotton require a shocking amount of energy and other resources to produce, but synthetic fabrics have their own set of drawbacks.—
Karen Dougherty,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
-
Afro hair transplant Afro hair requires unique techniques due to curl pattern and follicle structure.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
After two days exploring Barcelona, Spain, Napton was surprised at the lack of political discourse.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
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Morehouse graduates applaud the honor Part of the tragedy of Hubert’s lynching was a lack of awareness surrounding his story among Morehouse graduates until only recently, several alumni said.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
With Chrome attackers looking to bypass 2FA protections, and compromise passwords, proactive defensive measures are a must.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Some combination of them would be a must in any deal the team would make for a center.—
Dan Woike,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
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
-
Notably absent is a thorough discussion of how socioeconomic factors like poverty are the underlying drivers of why some children are faring so poorly.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Typically, managers want players on the pitch — and players generally want to play.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
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
Noun
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Apart from those violations, the CPSC says the swings also fail to meet mandatory warning requirements required to inform parents of the risks of death or serious injury to infants.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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System requirements: Windows or macOS with an available USB 2.0 port or PlayStation 5 gaming console.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
21 May 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
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Kansas City’s City Council voted unanimously in March for city employees to take on direct responsibility of animal control.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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