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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inevitable
impossible to avoid or evade
taxes will always be a necessary evil
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in essential
impossible to do without
food and water are necessary for survival
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
a modest income that provided the family with only the necessaries of life
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 necessary
Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Uncertain is her ability to raise the funds necessary to qualify for public campaign financing or attract the necessary support at the GOP convention in May to qualify for the primary in August.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Blakely has been charged with capital murder, while Washington is charged with child deprivation of necessaries with substantial harm.
—Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 19 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for necessary
Adjective
The next morning, the in-tent coffee machine provided a necessary boost to start the day after a good night’s sleep.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Uncertain is her ability to raise the funds necessary to qualify for public campaign financing or attract the necessary support at the GOP convention in May to qualify for the primary in August.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Latinos are necessaries for the North American community.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Blakely has been charged with capital murder, while Washington is charged with child deprivation of necessaries with substantial harm.
—Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 19 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for necessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessary
Adjective
-
The school's practices allowed people to get massage therapy licenses without finishing the required training, according to TDLR.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Nassau County executive, who has no serious opposition in the GOP primary for governor, was denied funding by the state Campaign Finance Board by a 4-3 party line vote because his running mate failed to file required paperwork.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And who could tell if his destiny was inevitable or of his own making?—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
-
With a father like his, Morganfield said a career in music was inevitable.—
Zak Spector,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
City leaders, however, maintain that the changes threaten jobs and essential services in communities that have depended on card rooms for decades.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Resistance is likely to be strongest among European governments, still shocked by Beijing’s threats last year to cut off supplies of rare earths — essential for clean tech — and worried about further hollowing out their own green industries.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Parents said the historical significance of the moment made attending the watch party a must.—
Samantha Chaney,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
If your family is gathering for Easter brunch, cheese grits are a must.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Tex McIver's felony murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence.—
Lauren A. White,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
He was indicted Wednesday, April Fools’ Day, and could face up to 27 years behind bars, with a seven-year mandatory minimum, if he’s convicted of using a firearm during a crime of violence.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If possible, set aside some time today to journal, listen to your favorite music, or just take a nap!—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Campbell, who ordinarily would represent DiZoglio in court to compel the Legislature to comply, has refused to do so on the flimsy excuse that DiZoglio has not provided needed information.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The memo stated the federal government had started site preparation but blamed Pritzker for delaying the land purchase and a needed state permit.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Sachs said additional data about Idahoans would likely have to be collected to fulfill the requirements.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The substitute also allows for the state to request a hardship waiver, something that was blocked under the original bill, from the community engagement requirements for counties with high unemployment, greater than 8% or one-and-a-half times higher than the national rate.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Necessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessary. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
