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
At the Faribault clinic where Carroll works, staff members deliver medicine, food and other necessities to patients.
—
Kate Wells, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
This is not an action of choice, but one of necessity.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Now that rain has been removed from the weather discussion in the Bay Area, the only necessity for a return to postcard beauty in the region was for the wind to die.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Carter confirmed that his ability to guard every position came out of necessity early in his career.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Kate Wells, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
This is not an action of choice, but one of necessity.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Now that rain has been removed from the weather discussion in the Bay Area, the only necessity for a return to postcard beauty in the region was for the wind to die.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Carter confirmed that his ability to guard every position came out of necessity early in his career.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessity
Noun
-
Peters was found guilty of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant and one count each of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failure to comply with the requirements of the secretary of state.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Artificial intelligence systems do not possess human intelligence and therefore should not be granted rights or protections reserved for people, as evidenced by the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a case challenging the requirement that copyrightable works must have human authorship.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
South Carolina applied in June for federal approval to extend Medicaid eligibility to nondisabled parents and caregivers ages 19 to 64 who earn 67-100% of the federal poverty level.—
Daniel Chang,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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These cuts contribute to deeper poverty, more crowded living situations and poor sanitation that create an ideal environment for the world’s deadliest disease, the Stanford researcher said.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Safety glasses are a must, and hearing protection is essential when working with loud equipment.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
-
And of course, coffee is a must at Hemma Hemma.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
So many terrible things happen that the reader develops a kind of flinch, bracing for the next calamity whenever there is a brief lull in the misery.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Earlier, on the beach, João predicted that Eddy would still try something with Alesia despite the boyfriend obstacle, but the future of their dynamic rests on whether Alesia will find it in herself to put her long-distance boyfriend out of his misery and do what’s right.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessity. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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