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
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Mar. 2026
The Heat needs to finish among the East’s top six teams to clinch a playoff spot without needing to take part in the play-in tournament.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
When the conversation centers on the broker’s accomplishments instead of the owner’s needs, confidence erodes.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Verb
China may need to implement a more proactive fiscal policy than its budget, unveiled last week, if Middle East tensions fail to de-escalate in the second quarter, Zhang said.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Mar. 2026
The Heat needs to finish among the East’s top six teams to clinch a playoff spot without needing to take part in the play-in tournament.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
LinkedIn released a study recently that found rising need for communications and creative thinking skills.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
When the conversation centers on the broker’s accomplishments instead of the owner’s needs, confidence erodes.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
Verb
-
Approving or rejecting candidates from Washington requires a functioning political process, a legitimate transitional authority and a population willing to accept an American imprimatur on their leadership — none of which exists.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Rodriguez Gutierrez was under a supervisory order and required to periodically check in with an immigration officer or face deportation for failing to report, according to De Bremaeker.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Its only post office is in danger of closing due to lack of funding, and fliers are posted up on lamp posts asking for financial support from the community.—
Xuan Juliana Wang,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Lakewood police were heavily criticized for their handling of the investigation into Gratton’s death, including for using her deadname and for an overall lack of transparency about the investigation.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The suit, filed in Sacramento federal court, argues California’s requirement that all new vehicles sold in the state be zero-emission by 2035 improperly regulates fuel economy — an area the administration says falls under the authority of the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Trump signed into law the first reconciliation bill passed by this Congress last year, extending his tax cuts, funding immigration enforcement, and strengthening work requirements for certain federal social welfare programs.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Add child care, car payments and other recurring expenses, and much of a household's income can become locked into monthly obligations.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Luna is highlighting your bank account from her spot in your 2nd House of Numbers, while Jupiter in your 8th House of Shared Resources potentially adds relationship obligations.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
13 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
-
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
Verb
-
Ziegler’s humor and sympathy for her characters—including Creon, who desperately wants to do right by everyone—saves the conflict between individual and state from heavy-handedness.—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
For her window display at the new Toast store in West Hollywood, artist Kyna Payawal wanted to entice pedestrians to stay and linger.—
Claire Salinda,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For profit hospital systems with significant footprints in Florida have been accused of prioritizing revenue generating admissions over patient necessity.—
Linda D. Gadd,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
-
That’s not necessarily a prime necessity for a quarterback.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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