must-have 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of must-havenext
as in essential
impossible to do without aprons are must-have accessories for the cooking class

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

must-have

2 of 2

noun

ˈməst-ˌhav How to pronounce must-have (audio)
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable hiking boots are a must-have for this trip

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-have
Noun
Zeta says a product that goes viral in a child’s feed in late August can move from unknown to must-have within 72 hours. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Sleeping Accessories Blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows are all must-haves for a storm shelter. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026 Dorm must-haves, classroom tech and more For kids heading to a new school, struggling to make friends, or feeling nervous about putting themselves out there, McBride encourages them to stay positive. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 Shop incredible deals on travel-ready clothing, comfortable shoes, reliable luggage, and must-have accessories. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for must-have
Recent Examples of Synonyms for must-have
  1. essential
  2. must
  3. necessary
  4. requirement
  5. integral
  6. necessity
  7. required
  8. needed
Adjective
  • Those plans must cover essential health benefits, such as prescription drugs and mental health coverage.
    — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Using the 50/30/20 budgeting rule, SmartAsset assumed these essential costs make up 50% of your budget.
    — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of essential
Noun
  • Seafood is the star of the show here—especially the shrimp and grits and crab cakes, which Bernthal says are a must-order.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Downtown shopping is a must, Southern Living says, with a local bookstore and village shop.
    — Eva Flowe August 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of must
Adjective
  • Addressing workers at the company’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume warned Tuesday that eliminating tens of thousands of jobs could be necessary to remain competitive.
    — Maegan Vazquez, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The equipment in the classroom is also outdated and no longer reaches performance capabilities necessary for modern digital art, web design and 2D and 3D imaging, officials said.
    — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of necessary
Noun
  • Some have no down payment requirements, most have below-average interest rates and many come with lower closing costs and monthly payments, thanks to no PMI requirements.
    — Dan Simms, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This allows individuals to evaluate the organization's mission, team dynamics, and actual time requirements.
    — Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of requirement
Adjective
  • Her weight and notable appetite are integral to the musical number.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The arrival of the transistor began the era of electronics that has become an integral part of our daily lives.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of integral
Noun
  • Kick the can If Congress fails to act, payments are expected to be 22% lower, which could be devastating for the millions of seniors who rely on their Social Security benefits to pay for basic necessities.
    — Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The military used to understand that troops’ well-being was central to their ability to perform—and that improving the quality of life for those in the armed forces was not just a nicety, but a necessity.
    — Andrea N. Goldstein, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of necessity
Adjective
  • Your school will apply the funds toward required costs like tuition and fees before sending any remaining amount to you.
    — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The economics behind that shift are already influencing how some large companies deploy AI, with businesses becoming increasingly selective in matching individual tasks to models based on cost and required performance.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • Senior Trey Cooley, who transferred from Troy, and senior Jayden Limar, who ran for 262 yards last season at Oregon, provide needed depth.
    — Andrew Destin, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The development comes a week after the city started the process of relocating residents to allow for the new owner to make needed repairs.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of needed

Browse Nearby Words

musters out
must-have
must-haves
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Cite this Entry

“Must-have.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/must-have. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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