as in requirements
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
on any road trip, accurate maps are a necessity
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Recent Examples of necessities
The price of household necessities rose in December over the previous month, even as inflation overall held steady.
—
Allie Canal, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
Include the necessities first, like a comfy chair and a small coffee table, and add decor second.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
Protests erupted late last month throughout Iran due to concerns about the economy and rampant inflation, with Iranians forced to contend with huge price hikes on food and basic necessities.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Jan. 2026
Michael Kors Romee Tote Bag This tote has a spacious main compartment that holds all your necessities and then some, like an iPad and smaller laptops.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
For many working households, that means a continuation of the faster-than-CPI-U accumulation that characterized the cost of necessities for the previous two decades.
—Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
According to Foodshare, increased food prices and stagnant wages are forcing families to make a choice between necessities.
—Kitan Arole, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
The government has also offered some relief in the form of $7-a-month stipends that can be used in grocery stores to buy basic necessities.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Keep Messes Hidden If the area under your kitchen or bathroom sink is open, a curtain hung from a tension rod can keep cleaning supplies and necessities hidden, while adding a touch of farmhouse or cottage charm.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
Allie Canal, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
Include the necessities first, like a comfy chair and a small coffee table, and add decor second.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
Protests erupted late last month throughout Iran due to concerns about the economy and rampant inflation, with Iranians forced to contend with huge price hikes on food and basic necessities.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Jan. 2026
Michael Kors Romee Tote Bag This tote has a spacious main compartment that holds all your necessities and then some, like an iPad and smaller laptops.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
For many working households, that means a continuation of the faster-than-CPI-U accumulation that characterized the cost of necessities for the previous two decades.
—Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
According to Foodshare, increased food prices and stagnant wages are forcing families to make a choice between necessities.
—Kitan Arole, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
The government has also offered some relief in the form of $7-a-month stipends that can be used in grocery stores to buy basic necessities.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Keep Messes Hidden If the area under your kitchen or bathroom sink is open, a curtain hung from a tension rod can keep cleaning supplies and necessities hidden, while adding a touch of farmhouse or cottage charm.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessities
Noun
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As argued in his book Abundance, Ezra Klein explains how America's growth has been hindered by well-meaning regulations, permitting requirements, and veto points that have blocked affordable housing, infrastructure, and clean energy development.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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The committee floated a proposal to implement new requirements for where these businesses can be built in relation to each other, and to strengthen pre-existing requirements.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Those are musts for head coach Mike Brown’s new offensive system.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Black-eyed peas, cornbread, and pork are musts, as they are said to bring wealth, prosperity, and progress.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Southwestern President Mark Sanchez told the committee Tuesday that his school and its collaborators need to introduce an array of bachelor’s degree programs to help meet the needs of students and employers in South County, home to 500,000 people.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
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Depending on your space, heating needs, and comfort levels, a space heater can be an efficient heat source.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Necessities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessities. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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