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
Rodrique Ngowi, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
The bill could be seen as a necessary move in states where the Conrad 30 program is widely used and very popular.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 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
For society, all sorts of complex questions arise if the basic science affirms the conditions necessary for exploiting the water.
—Rodrique Ngowi, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
The bill could be seen as a necessary move in states where the Conrad 30 program is widely used and very popular.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 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
-
Critically, this approach achieves the required resolution without the enormous deployment complexity of a 20-meter circular primary or the operational overhead of a starshade.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Though coverage for Wegovy (semaglutide) is generally better than for Zepbound this year, 88% of people getting Wegovy through their insurer still face hurdles, including prior authorization and required protocols in which cheaper treatments must be tried first prior to gaining access.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Arriving home in the dark after work or dinners out is inevitable, but finding the front door doesn’t have to be a treacherous experience for you or your guests.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
James Strikes Again The opening goal in this encounter was inevitable.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
These two energies seduced me to find womxn who, through their artistic work, were open to rebellious acts such as publishing art books on essential topics.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The Panthers are paying their offensive line a fortune, and Hubbard is here for the long haul, focusing on those two variables is essential.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Just like the Golden Bachelor, Maia loves sports, so finding someone athletic, fun and flirty is a must.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Hot chicken and cool treats When in Nashville, hot chicken is a must, even at the fair.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Now that mandatory fee will nearly double on September 30 to $40.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The Upper Basin has vocally refused to accept any mandatory cuts in its water use for the sake of the reservoirs.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Reduces the Risk of Congenital Disabilities Drinking orange juice provides pregnant people with the needed folate that can reduce the risk of congenital disabilities.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
4 Sep. 2025
-
After all, Harvard, Yale and other endowments are now struggling to sell a portion of their private equity and alternatives investments at discounts to raise needed cash.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The course accepts recruits whose body fat is up to 8% higher or whose scores on the Army's aptitude test are as much as seven points lower than the requirement to become a soldier.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
-
There’s usually a physical requirement, as well as severely playing down the high-wattage glamor that got you on red carpets in the first place.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Necessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessary. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share