məs(t)
as in requirement
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
exercise is a must if you want to stay healthy
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 must
Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
Instead, estate planning, investing, and other long-term financial planning is a must.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for must
Verb
The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
Drinking water under Rio’s scorching summer heat is a must.
—ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
Instead, estate planning, investing, and other long-term financial planning is a must.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for must
Recent Examples of Synonyms for must
Noun
-
Afterwards, ByteDance rolled back that feature and introduced verification requirements for users who want to create digital avatars with their own images and audio, according to Chinese media.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Not all nurses are certified to be a SANE, and certification requirements vary by state, according to Sekula.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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
-
From monthly sales to discounts on household necessities, there is no shortage of savings.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Forging a broad coalition across these tendencies seems like an obvious necessity but has so far proved elusive.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
CultureCon offers free scholarship tickets to students with financial needs and also partners with colleges to offer free admission.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
There’s been constant friction, thanks in part to political pressure and the clout of developers, and one of the many future threats to the core mission is the need for more housing throughout the state.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Must.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/must. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
