1
as in to require
to have as a requirement
a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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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
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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
-
Ultimately, a lack of Democratic support for weakening the filibuster prevented them from passing that legislation, but Republicans were also vehemently opposed and leaned on arguments about protecting states’ rights.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
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That played into his lack of worry about Iowa’s turnaround from its Sunday upset of defending national champion and top-seeded Florida, at least from a physical and travel standpoint.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The decision by Republicans to isolate the language on voter ID, part of days of rolling debate on the SAVE America Act, was spurred by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) insisting that Democrats do not oppose that specific requirement and have backed it in the past.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
-
An amendment that would require voters to show photo identification to cast a ballot failed to advance in the Senate on Thursday, despite Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying last week that Democrats were not opposed to such a requirement.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The obligation was imposed within the tenets of the European Union’s 2018 Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) under which streamers must ensure that at least 30% of their content offering is European in origin.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The 2012 nationalization of Argentina's largest energy company, further damaged Argentina’s international standing by reinforcing its history of abandoning its global financial obligations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 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
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When that comes, some CRTPO members want the option to vote on whether the project continues based on the designs.—
Desiree Mathurin
March 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
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How can other young women and girls who wants to be creators online push through that embarrassment and stop worrying about what other people are thinking?—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the uncertainty around when the shutdown will end puts a lot of pressure on these workers, many of whom depend on timely paychecks to keep up with rent, groceries and other necessities.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
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This year, small ski areas in Wisconsin, Idaho and Utah are trying their hand at snow farming — a sign that new, work-intensive interventions are becoming a necessity as the ski industry grapples with climate change.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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