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
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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
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Recent Examples of need
Brayden Garcia
january 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
This is to some extent a consequence of how quickly the government had to act in the face of that emergency, a catch-22 between ensuring that the money would be going to actually help people who needed it and having to get billions out the door at lightning-speed.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
That is, they are dotted with nodules inhabited by nitrogen-fixing bacteria that obviate the need for fertilizer.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Verb
Rodeo tickets Tickets are needed for each rodeo event at Dickies Arena and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
—Brayden Garcia
january 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
This is to some extent a consequence of how quickly the government had to act in the face of that emergency, a catch-22 between ensuring that the money would be going to actually help people who needed it and having to get billions out the door at lightning-speed.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
One of the biggest issues highlighted at the CBIA event was the need to make more employers aware of the fact that the pilot even exists.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
That is, they are dotted with nodules inhabited by nitrogen-fixing bacteria that obviate the need for fertilizer.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
Verb
-
In August 2024, federal prosecutors accused JMG Investments and Schwartz of improperly receiving two PPP loans in December 2020 and not repaying the duplicate loan as required, according to the DOJ.—
Andrea Klick,
Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Changing this dynamic requires support from labor unions, which often perceive this way of housing construction as a threat.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The court acquitted Kim of two other charges, citing a lack of evidence and other reasons.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The meeting was canceled because of a lack of a quorum.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Failed units must be remediated or tenants relocated within 30 days, as well as the establishment of a complaint hotline for 24/7 reporting and the requirement of a landlord response within five business days.—
JAMES HERRERA MONTEREY HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But under the bill, land-use changes outside the Urban Development Boundary would require a simple majority vote, which is the current requirement for changes inside the boundary.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Thus, if the debtor were to receive a distribution in violation of a charging order, the debtor has an affirmative obligation to turn the distribution over to the creditor.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Despite facing many of the same challenges, Illinois has not responded, playing defense as governments face budget-busting pension debts and long-term obligations.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
California, for instance, is making up for the loss of premium tax credits, but only for ACA enrollees who earn up to 150% of the federal poverty level.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Maisie is a throw-away child in 1910, captivated by a poster of a magical French carousel, when an aunt snatches her out of poverty and takes her into the home of her wealthy employer, a British lord.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rieder is believed to prefer lower interest rates, a top priority for a president who wants massive rate cuts.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Cook said Apple is in the process of increasing its access to supply and didn’t want to forecast beyond March.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the last century, scientists have found bountiful evidence of complexity and engineering in living systems that seems highly unlikely to have emerged from a world of evolved necessity.—
Andrew McDiarmid,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Two out of 3 Americans surveyed, 66%, are worried about paying for health care — more than other household necessities such as utilities, food and groceries, housing and rent, and gasoline and transportation, according to a poll published Thursday by KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research group.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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