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
Relevance
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
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 necessary
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
The case could determine the future of Brazil’s domestic politics and foreign relations: Critics of Bolsonaro — who is accused of having plotted to kill his successor — say his conviction is necessary to defend democracy in Latin America’s biggest nation.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
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 closure is necessary so that crews can resurface the deck of the bridge and work on slab repairs, which requires the use of heavy machinery, Caltrans said.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
The case could determine the future of Brazil’s domestic politics and foreign relations: Critics of Bolsonaro — who is accused of having plotted to kill his successor — say his conviction is necessary to defend democracy in Latin America’s biggest nation.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
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
-
One Dallas restaurant failed, six required reinspection and three had roaches or rodent droppings in the most recent round of city health inspections, according to the inspection reports.—
Samara Gerstle,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 July 2025
-
No required Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification from the company was viewable on the state’s Labor and Economic Opportunity website as of the morning of Wednesday, July 23.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Challenges are inevitable, but transparency and consistent effort can rebuild trust and even strengthen the relationship.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Many assume that memory loss and cognitive decline are an inevitable part of aging — but new research suggests that doesn’t have to be the case.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This right is essential to endorsement deals by pro athletes and celebrities, since they are paid to urge their fans and consumers to buy a product or service.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
This type of human-machine collaboration is essential for unlocking new levels of performance without requiring a complete overhaul of existing operations.—
Alexander Clausbruch,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
So a quick scan of the room and flipping a couple switches to make sure things are working is a must.—
Amber Love Bond,
Southern Living,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Since her daughter loves pink, incorporating the color was a must.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Singaporeans' take-home pay is lower than their full salary because of mandatory Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
-
If the lump sum payout is chosen, the winnings will first drop to $196.7 million after a mandatory federal withholding of 24% is applied.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Their identifications were made possible by advanced DNA analysis of remains recovered from the attack, along with family outreach, said the OCME.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
His way of directing is to allow the people in front of the camera to act naturally as much as possible.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Lowering the 30% equity requirement, however, might take longer unless the world runs out of decabillionaires who want teams.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Texas is the 29th state to adopt a financial literacy requirement, according to Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit that offers free curriculum to schools nationwide.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The Hopkins clinic fit squarely into the desire of these movements to offer Americans alternatives to the rigid gender roles and compulsory heterosexuality of the Cold War era.—
Time,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The violent clashes in the state’s megacity Mumbai earlier this month were sparked by the regional government’s controversial decision to make Hindi a compulsory third language in public primary schools.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Necessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessary. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share