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
Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Before arriving, all guests fill out a medical form addressing altitude tolerance, frostbite risk, and ability to walk without needing to pause.
—Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026
Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
And what did his mother pack that will fill all his needs?
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Verb
Senor and Stephens are neoconservatives who hardly needed to be convinced that the members of progressive movements were not friends of the Jewish people.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Before arriving, all guests fill out a medical form addressing altitude tolerance, frostbite risk, and ability to walk without needing to pause.
—Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
That could leave the Xcel system nearly 500 megawatts short of the need that is forecast for the summer.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
And what did his mother pack that will fill all his needs?
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
Verb
-
Consumer advocates said the findings support SB 1076, a bill that would require insurers to offer coverage to homeowners who meet state fire safety standards.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Others, such as Susan Braverman, also reported feeling stretched thin after being required to work in stressful conditions with higher-than-normal callout rates while not receiving compensation.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
As recently as 2022, research group IDinsight found unintended pregnancy was, after a lack of money for school fees, the leading cause of girls not returning to education.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In Miami-Dade, the lack of oversight has been acute, the Herald found.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 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
Noun
-
As part of a two-question ballot measure, the Hickman Mills School District is asking voters to approve a general obligation bond to pay down the district’s debt.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
These agreements are essentially rental leases that include an option (or, in some cases, an obligation) to eventually buy the property after living in it for a period of time.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Why is there the perpetual erosion of our environment, and things like poverty, famine, homelessness and hatred and division?—
Kevin Powell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Most of the health center's patients live at or below the federal poverty level — currently $33,000 for a family of four.—
Samantha Liss,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last year, new college graduates wanted remote, high-paying jobs that aligned with their values.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Michaels, who traveled to the Capitol last year to press for the files’ release, wanted Bondi gone.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jabran Sarfraz, a prominent economist in Karachi, said the immediate burden would fall on consumers, warning that higher fuel prices would raise the cost of daily necessities and disproportionately affect lower-income groups.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure without clear militarily necessity is considered a violation of international law.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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