as in necessities
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
hiking boots are a must-have for this trip
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Recent Examples of must-haves
Secure these versatile closet must-haves to refresh your spring and summer wardrobe now.
—
Irina Grechko, Vogue, 7 May 2026
Plus, don’t miss out on home must-haves like a handheld vacuum that tackles small messes with ease and a plush bathroom rug that’s only $9 right now.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
From our roasted orange chicken recipe to a couple of over-the-top orange cakes, our favorite orange recipes are a zesty crew of must-haves.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
The quilted carryall is plenty roomy for hauling your gym clothes to the office or fitting it all of your must-haves for a busy spring weekend—say, a beach getaway or a whirl around a theme park.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026
Shop clothing, bird feeders, quilts, tank tops, outdoor furniture, garden must-haves, and more—from $7.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Easily Accessible Essentials Dabito emphasizes that must-haves like high-quality toilet paper should be clearly visible and easy to reach.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026
This shopping guide features our 15 top picks for spring outdoor living and entertaining, from backyard barbecue must-haves to garden party decor, all made in Georgia.
—C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Hill cites two products as her absolute must-haves.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026
Irina Grechko, Vogue, 7 May 2026
Plus, don’t miss out on home must-haves like a handheld vacuum that tackles small messes with ease and a plush bathroom rug that’s only $9 right now.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
From our roasted orange chicken recipe to a couple of over-the-top orange cakes, our favorite orange recipes are a zesty crew of must-haves.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
The quilted carryall is plenty roomy for hauling your gym clothes to the office or fitting it all of your must-haves for a busy spring weekend—say, a beach getaway or a whirl around a theme park.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026
Shop clothing, bird feeders, quilts, tank tops, outdoor furniture, garden must-haves, and more—from $7.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Easily Accessible Essentials Dabito emphasizes that must-haves like high-quality toilet paper should be clearly visible and easy to reach.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026
This shopping guide features our 15 top picks for spring outdoor living and entertaining, from backyard barbecue must-haves to garden party decor, all made in Georgia.
—C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Hill cites two products as her absolute must-haves.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for must-haves
Noun
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These pants have deep pockets, perfect for holding your necessities, like your phone, wallet, and passport.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
4 May 2026
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And because poor and many middle-class families would be the prime beneficiaries of a child tax credit, most of their state tax refunds would be quickly spent on groceries, clothing, utilities and other necessities.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Noun
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While the candidates’ proposals vary, many call for stronger ethics oversight, tighter campaign finance restrictions, expanded disclosure requirements and greater transparency around city spending, lobbying activity and constituent services.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
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The legislature has also put in place more requirements for towns to have fair rent commissions, which are local bodies that have the ability to respond to complaints and regulate rents.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Those are musts if Minnesota plans to grab a game in this trip to Colorado.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
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Other musts include Yummi Yarns, Burnsville Candle Company, and Something Special Gift Shop, a local favorite for 40 years.—
Kristy Tolley,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Must-haves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/must-haves. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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