as in necessarily
because of necessity
the dangers of global warming must needs be recognized—and recognized soon—by the industrialized nations of the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in requires
to have as a requirement
a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in requirements
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
got a job that barely provided for his basic needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obligations
something one must do because of prior agreement
no need to apologize
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 needs
Katie James Watkinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Ayla Loon’s artistry goes beyond song craft, and Funnybone clearly understands the multi-layered approach that needs to be taken to best appreciate the music.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
So that’s a different routine that needs adjusting.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Well who needs a stent placement and an and aspirin and statin?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
Yamamoto also needs to take care of himself while playing for Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
One firm guideline, is that half of the production needs to take place on the continent.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Heat needs to get hot as play resumes to avoid a fourth straight play-in tourney.
—Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Who really needs life insurance?
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
The majority of Americans belong to the working class and are finding their paychecks unable to keep up with the higher and higher prices of everyday needs.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric's friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Receptive but cautious Mayor Eric Johnson Johnson in August directed the council’s Finance Committee to decide whether City Hall best serves residents, identify the most responsible way to address growing repair needs and weigh all options for its future.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
Unsure of what the best layout would be for your needs?
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
An internal audit uncovered purchases that did not match the residents' needs, police said.
—Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Planting these two herbs together will cause one of them to struggle since needs cannot be met for both plants.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Funding decisions should be guided by student needs, enrollment trends and transparency to ensure equity and strong outcomes across all schools.
—Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
And everyone needs to look out for bicyclists, who drive fast and rarely slow down to maneuver around crowds.
—Katie James Watkinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Ayla Loon’s artistry goes beyond song craft, and Funnybone clearly understands the multi-layered approach that needs to be taken to best appreciate the music.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
So that’s a different routine that needs adjusting.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Well who needs a stent placement and an and aspirin and statin?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
Yamamoto also needs to take care of himself while playing for Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
One firm guideline, is that half of the production needs to take place on the continent.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Heat needs to get hot as play resumes to avoid a fourth straight play-in tourney.
—Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Who really needs life insurance?
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
Meyer argues that the state spends billions without addressing glaring needs, and 5200 could cost less than roller-coastering people through hospitals, courts, jails and prisons without putting them on a healthier track.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
The majority of Americans belong to the working class and are finding their paychecks unable to keep up with the higher and higher prices of everyday needs.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric's friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Receptive but cautious Mayor Eric Johnson Johnson in August directed the council’s Finance Committee to decide whether City Hall best serves residents, identify the most responsible way to address growing repair needs and weigh all options for its future.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
Unsure of what the best layout would be for your needs?
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
An internal audit uncovered purchases that did not match the residents' needs, police said.
—Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Planting these two herbs together will cause one of them to struggle since needs cannot be met for both plants.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Funding decisions should be guided by student needs, enrollment trends and transparency to ensure equity and strong outcomes across all schools.
—Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needs
Adverb
-
That colleague who seemed fine in early March might suddenly seem more fatigued in the weeks after the time change—not because the fasts are necessarily longer, but because the schedule disruption affects sleep and evening routines.—
Juwayriah Wright,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Morrison both writes about and uses techniques that reveal the necessarily hybrid, composite nature of black art.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That also requires a level of play that the Aztecs (18-8, 12-4) have not approached in the last two games.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
If a student’s name appears in both district and private-school enrollment, state law requires the student’s funding be frozen to prevent duplication.—
Natalie La Roche Pietri,
Miami Herald,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the latest effort Friday to ensure that drivers meet the federal requirements to understand English well enough to read road signs and communicate with law enforcement officers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Bell also said that the agency, which sets infectious disease reporting requirements, hasn’t considered adding hospitalizations to the list because the primary purpose of public health surveillance is to understand disease transmission, frequency and distribution — not to track complications.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The roster’s age and future payroll obligations put it in win-now mode.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The total amount reflects earned leave accumulated during Smith's tenure and does not include any additional severance beyond contractual obligations.—
Jack Lowenstein,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Local leaders often do their best to preserve open space and defray the costs that new residents and businesses will inevitably bring.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
-
While Wasserman’s music artists were largely responsible for pressuring him to step away, the actor-heavy Brillstein Entertainment Partners would inevitably have come under scrutiny.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The two Cabo Blanco rooms on the upper level are accessed by a flatter path, and ideal for anyone who wants less of a journey getting back to their room.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Caroline Heldman, co-founder of Stand With Survivors, said the coalition wants the LA 28 board to know that leadership carries consequences.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Debate grows in Miami Cuban Americans in Miami who have been helping their relatives on the island by paying for medicines, food and other necessities to be delivered to them in the country will see their options shrink fast too.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Koch told senators that the IURC already allows for two 10-day periods without disconnection for those with medical necessities.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needs. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
