must 1 of 2

məs(t)
as in to should
to be under necessity or obligation to we must be quiet during the performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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must

2 of 2

noun

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 must
Noun
The wide-mouth style is a must. Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025 Hydro Flask Water Bottle With Flex Straw For planes, thin water bottles are a must. Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025 Fun swimsuits Packing a bathing suit (fine, several) is a must for a summer trip. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025 Regardless of the time of year, sunscreen is a must. Gabrielle Marchese, Outside, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for must
Recent Examples of Synonyms for must
Noun
  • The course accepts recruits whose body fat is up to 8% higher or whose scores on the Army's aptitude test are as much as seven points lower than the requirement to become a soldier.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
  • There’s usually a physical requirement, as well as severely playing down the high-wattage glamor that got you on red carpets in the first place.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • My answer is: That leader shall stick with their principles.
    Alla Adam, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
  • Firms with over 10 employees shall be required to consult their employees or trade unions when formulating their out-of-work policies.
    Faustine Ngila, Quartz, 26 Jan. 2023
Noun
  • The humble butter dish, once a purely practical necessity, is enjoying a significant revival, now being showcased on countertops and dining tables in vessels that are both stylish and functional.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Out of necessity, vibrant economic corridors emerged.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There are no hard and fast rules regarding the frequency of sweeping, as the floor care needs of each home depend on several different factors.
    Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
  • European officials, by contrast, have consistently emphasized the need to ratchet up sanctions pressure.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To avoid the hassle of scrounging in the cargo hold to access their necessaries and furry companions, when in the rearmost position, special storage bins for hand luggage or pet carriers (all of these accessories presumably Bentley branded) emerge from the floor.
    Brett Berk, Robb Report, 8 July 2025
  • At George Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation in Virginia there were several such necessaries on the grounds.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Must.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/must. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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