1
as in required
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
an emissions test is necessary before you can renew the registration for your car
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inevitable
impossible to avoid or evade
taxes will always be a necessary evil
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in essential
impossible to do without
food and water are necessary for survival
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
a modest income that provided the family with only the necessaries of life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of necessary
Archie Forde, Pitchfork, 6 Mar. 2026
The argument will be that some form of peace-keeping force will be necessary to restore order in the country and keep it from re-radicalizing.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Blakely has been charged with capital murder, while Washington is charged with child deprivation of necessaries with substantial harm.
—Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 19 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for necessary
Adjective
The finespun rhythmic intuition of Morgan and Royston, who played with Frisell on 2020’s Valentine, and the richness of the string section, despite its small size, work together to ensure the record’s easy dynamism; both give freedom to Frisell’s playing, but also decenter him when necessary.
—Archie Forde, Pitchfork, 6 Mar. 2026
The argument will be that some form of peace-keeping force will be necessary to restore order in the country and keep it from re-radicalizing.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
Latinos are necessaries for the North American community.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Blakely has been charged with capital murder, while Washington is charged with child deprivation of necessaries with substantial harm.
—Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 19 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for necessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessary
Adjective
-
The board is also considering approving a list of required reading that includes Bible passages.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Each round is decided by a head-to-head battle, with the infamous Randomizer wheel determining the required ingredients, cooking style, equipment and wild card element.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Andrew Ross Sorkin’s history of the 1929 stock market crash reminds us that financial bubbles are inevitable—and that another one may be about to pop.—
The New York Review of Books,
The New York Review of Books,
7 Mar. 2026
-
But losses on the scale that the United States and Israel and other countries have so far suffered are not evidence of defeat, but an inevitable consequence of war.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Several Times a Week Caspara uses this whey formula regularly for its rich profile of essential minerals, inclusive of magnesium, potassium, chloride, and zinc.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Kanyinda’s goals as commissioner are to fix infrastructure, protect essential services with smart fiscal management and inclusive, responsive leadership.—
Rachel Royster
Updated March 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Safety glasses are a must, and hearing protection is essential when working with loud equipment.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
-
And of course, coffee is a must at Hemma Hemma.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Federal safety regulations limit truckers to 11 hours of driving within any 14-hour workday, followed by a mandatory 10 consecutive hours of rest.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Prosecutors said Khan’s third year of his sentence is suspended and will be served under mandatory supervision by probation officers.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Prosecutor Edward Robert Campbell told the state television program on Friday the accused faced a host of possible charges including crimes associated with terrorist acts.—
Reuters 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Detroit Lions dealt veteran running back David Montgomery, who wanted more carries, for needed depth on the offensive line and extra picks in next month’s draft.—
Larry Lage,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In the dead of winter, February—with its glittery cards and candy hearts—delivers some needed brightness.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Peters was found guilty of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant and one count each of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failure to comply with the requirements of the secretary of state.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Artificial intelligence systems do not possess human intelligence and therefore should not be granted rights or protections reserved for people, as evidenced by the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a case challenging the requirement that copyrightable works must have human authorship.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Necessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessary. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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