necessarily

adverb

nec·​es·​sar·​i·​ly ˌne-sə-ˈser-ə-lē 

1

: of necessity : unavoidably

The audience was necessarily small.

This endeavor necessarily involves some risk.

2

: as a logical result or consequence

… a holocaust is a disaster, but a disaster is not necessarily a holocaust.

—Harry Shaw

Synonyms of necessarily

• inevitably

Examples of necessarily in a Sentence

the argument that the existence of the universe necessarily implies the existence of an all-powerful being responsible for creating it

Recent Examples on the Web

Nor does diaspora opposition necessarily translate into government vulnerability. —Michael Paarlberg, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026

The study didn’t determine whether any particular amount of chemical exposure from the hair extensions was above legal standards or would necessarily cause health issues in people, however. —Aude Konan, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026

Still, the details show a job market that is improving, without necessarily broadening. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026

The investments don’t mean the district will necessarily move forward with the closure proposal, which came from a consultant and hasn’t been endorsed by Milwaukee Public Schools officials. —Rory Linnane, jsonline.com, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing necessarily

• not necessarily

Rhymes for necessarily

• arbitrarily
• customarily
• militarily
• momentarily
• ordinarily
• secondarily
• temporarily
• voluntarily
• airily
• caroli
• merrily
• verily