1
as in requirement
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
on any road trip, accurate maps are a necessity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
two years of unemployment had reduced the family to abject necessity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of necessity
Her family is participating in No Buy July, a growing trend on social media that encourages consumers to only buy the necessities and refrain from buying what is not needed.
—
Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Smith outlines the critical necessity for a Black feminist literary practice that takes Black women’s experiences, aesthetics, and political conditions as central rather than marginal.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2025
Left-leaning public radio and TV are not a necessity.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 17 July 2025
If companies cut costs elsewhere, notably through layoffs, then unemployment could spike, making a rate cut a necessity.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Smith outlines the critical necessity for a Black feminist literary practice that takes Black women’s experiences, aesthetics, and political conditions as central rather than marginal.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2025
Left-leaning public radio and TV are not a necessity.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 17 July 2025
If companies cut costs elsewhere, notably through layoffs, then unemployment could spike, making a rate cut a necessity.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessity
Noun
-
In the lawsuit, Beshear and several Democratic attorneys general argued the freeze violated federal statutory and regulatory requirements.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
19 July 2025
-
In 2024, the Biden administration proposed expanding parole in place to undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens who met certain requirements, such as having lived in the country for a minimum number of years.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
Jane comes from a background of poverty and has stayed in their hometown for the past 20 years, devoting herself to caregiving.—
Julie Hinds,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
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And according to Justice in Aging, Social Security lifts more than 22 million people out of poverty, including over 16 million older adults and almost 1 million children.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Noun
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No matter what the Yankees do before the deadline passes at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, getting multiple relievers is a must.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
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The elements around it have changed, but the magic has remained pure, a must.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 July 2025
Noun
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Their relative misery even exceeds that of the Afghans and Iraqis.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs, his big, ugly budget bill, and the havoc that his immigration raids are spreading in the vulnerable industries of agriculture, hospitality and construction will inflict misery on all but the wealthiest sectors of the economy.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessity. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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