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
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
These necessary evils drain your creative energy.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 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
After that, perhaps a blockbuster deal could make that compensation no longer necessary.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
These necessary evils drain your creative energy.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 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
-
Alternatively, individuals can enter without making a purchase by filling out the free online entry form with all its required information, and as a result, secure one spin.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
-
If a person fails to make required deposits, the IRS may withdraw the right to use the safe harbor.—
Carrie Brandon Elliot,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That people would lean into the allure of something unabashedly detrimental feels perversely inevitable.—
Gabriella Onessimo,
Allure,
23 Jan. 2026
-
With all these forces at work, increasing military traffic in the region is inevitable and potentially incendiary.—
Chloe Demrovsky,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There are four lifestyle behaviors and four health metrics essential for heart health, according to the AHA report.—
Dr. Richard Zhang,
ABC News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Hardening off, or the process of gradually acclimating young seedlings to the rigors of growing outdoors, is essential for tomatoes.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Cotton Essential Lay-Flat Travel Organizer A large organizer that holds skincare products, makeup, and makeup brushes is a must for both travel and everyday life, and this version lays flat when opened for maximum visibility.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
If that’s you, Wayfair’s antique-looking furniture and decor is a must-shop.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That attracts bigger tickets and more players as the mandatory payout with longer shot winners can equate to a massive payout for those guessing right.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Perhaps his most ambitious proposal — one that could require a constitutional amendment — was to impose a mandatory retirement age of 75 for all branches of government, including people serving as president, in the Cabinet, in Congress or as a judge.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Now Jabra has developed a new class of enterprise headset that can counter these issues by providing the clearest audio quality possible with the ability to filter out the ambient noise of an open-plan office or a busy café.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
These conditions can make driving challenging, so exercise extreme caution on the road, and if possible, consider delaying your trip.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In the long run, advocates said, the move could drive needed therapists out of the state, especially because the changes follow a 4% cut in 2025 to the rates Idaho pays providers who offer care to Medicaid patients.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
-
October 23 – November 21 Which conversation could unlock needed relief?—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Indensity adapts to real-world places—rising vertically next to communities, businesses, and high-value assets—without the sprawling land requirements of traditional grid-scale storage.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Since the pandemic years, parts of Western Norway including Bergen and Stavanger have all seen local protests and political debates over cruise limits, shore power requirements and passenger caps.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Necessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessary. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
