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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of need
Paul Sutter, Space.com, 3 May 2026
Wildflowers line the roads during summer, and there's no hiking needed to enjoy the colorful blooms.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 2 May 2026
But the very need for such a briefing underscored how difficult a position the president has found himself in.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Verb
This observational power is crucial for gathering the data needed to calibrate eruptive mass loss.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 3 May 2026
Wildflowers line the roads during summer, and there's no hiking needed to enjoy the colorful blooms.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Noun
Aurora Water says the need to build is urgent, especially in dry years like this one.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 2 May 2026
But the very need for such a briefing underscored how difficult a position the president has found himself in.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
Verb
-
And on Monday, the ship operator said two crew members — one British, one Dutch — had acute respiratory symptoms, one mild and one severe but both requiring urgent medical care.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
Both hires require formal approval from their respective school boards, which are expected to vote in May.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Goldman Sachs estimated that Qatar could see its GDP plunge by 14%, citing its lack of alternative export channels to the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This Fire sign is, after all, notorious for its lack of a filter… and the 24-year-old singer just so happens to have her sun, Venus and Pluto here.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The spokesperson noted that the pilot had completed all mandatory medical examinations in compliance with regulatory requirements and held a Class I medical certification.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The information provided is crucial in identifying whether the state meets federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The initiative represents a pivotal shift in how the kingdom approaches its cultural heritage and environmental obligations.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
-
His father, a real estate developer, had lost generations of Bessent family wealth by overleveraging his obligations.—
Fatima Hussein,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
That tax credit steered tax dollars collected above the revenue cap set by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights to low-income families — and in its first year, the program was credited with cutting childhood poverty in the state by more than a third.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
-
The reality is that our criminal justice system enables crime, repeat offenders, and the never-ending cycle of poverty and crime.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Felicia Anderson, 39, is wanted on a half-dozen criminal counts, including first-degree assault, second-degree assault and weapons violations.—
Alexa Ashwell,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
-
Holland doesn't want to force sobriety on anyone.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
If documenting the memories of your trip is a necessity, this camera backpack is a must-have.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
-
This level of security is a depressing necessity in modern-day Britain.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
