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
Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Federal officials say the flight reductions are a necessary and proactive measure to protect the integrity of the airspace while thousands of controllers continue working without pay.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 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
In the end, the scene was filmed in just two attempts — with the second necessary only because of a camera error.
—Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Federal officials say the flight reductions are a necessary and proactive measure to protect the integrity of the airspace while thousands of controllers continue working without pay.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 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
-
This summer, Wyoming’s Game and Fish Commission passed regulations that designated some sections fly-only and required anglers to pinch their barbs.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The Chamber argues that the fee was imposed without congressional approval or required rulemaking, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The fall of Pokrovsk – the strategic value of which has already been greatly diminished, but which would nevertheless represent the biggest win for Moscow since 2023 – now seems almost inevitable, according to those on the ground.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
This character of aberrance is what makes accidental surfing deaths seem inevitable—or, rather, inexorable, built into the subway’s force.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
These measures arise as essential staff—particularly air traffic controllers—have been working without paychecks.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Vitamin D receptor genes play an essential role in calcium absorption.—
Trang Tran,
Verywell Health,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Late hours are a must, bathroom graffiti helps and there should be a fairly high ratio of cheap beer to, well, pretty much everything else.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Elliott, a native Southerner, said sweet tea is a must for her menu, too.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Shouts for it will be met by angry fingers jutted towards the various gaffes played ad nauseam on Sky Sports’ weekly Ref Watch, or the mandatory pause before the emotional unleashing as VAR mulls over whether a goal is a goal or just a hoax.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Many are pulling six-day work weeks with mandatory overtime, and increasing numbers have begun calling out as the financial strain and exhaustion mount.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
If the court accepts the case, oral arguments could be scheduled for the spring, with a possible decision by June.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Sustained, strong winds are possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The Chiefs were terrific in short-yardage situations, powering for the needed 1 or 2 yards — and this was true even after right guard Trey Smith left the game and was replaced by Mike Caliendo in the second quarter.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The Wolves want to preserve his legs for the playoffs and give Dillingham some needed run.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But food hubs also have high startup and operational costs, challenges with maintaining a consistent supply and demand and recruiting skilled leadership and staff, and navigating organizational, regulatory and food safety requirements, Perez said.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Testing reveals an average power exceeding 200 kW in optimal steady-state conditions, surpassing the energy requirements for heavy-duty vehicles.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Necessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessary. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share