NECESSITIES Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

necessities

noun

Definition of necessities next

plural of necessity

as in requirements

something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable on any road trip, accurate maps are a necessity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 necessities People also are looking for cheap thrills, while necessities have gotten more expensive. —

Juveria Tabassum, USA Today, 3 June 2026 The political euphoria that arises from economic growth can quickly curdle into anger if the growth prices the middle class out of life’s necessities. —

Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026 While those companies receive heavy tax subsidies and public development incentives for their physical growth, the rest of the municipality’s spending for necessities like public schools and sidewalks remains underfunded. —

Patty Heyda, The Conversation, 1 June 2026 This includes square footage of housing as well as amenities that are once viewed as luxuries but are now seen as necessities, such as dishwashers and air-conditioning. —

Allison Schrager, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026 This small exercise can instantly separate necessities from extras. —

Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 31 May 2026 If technology kept improving, and societies kept growing richer, then fewer hours of human labor would be needed to produce the necessities and comforts of life. —

Christopher Marquis, Time, 30 May 2026 While that gain outpaced the rate of inflation in 2025, many workers were still feeling pinched by the accumulation of higher prices over the past few years and had to cut corners to make ends meet and run up credit card debt to pay for everyday necessities. —

Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026 So there are some necessities for this defense to become a Cup contender, but the roster is in transition, and there are players who could fill those roles in the future. —

Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 26 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessities

Noun

Makary drew criticism last year after the agency imposed stricter requirements on who could get Covid shots.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 29 May 2026
But only service members who are not overweight and fit certain height and weight requirements can attend, according to a screenshot of a Pentagon memo shared to a military Facebook group and a person familiar with the matter.

— Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 29 May 2026