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 foldover design of this grab-and-go clutch is complete with two zip pockets and a magnetic snap closure, which provides enough room for necessities, according to reviewers.
—
Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
The cardboard box became a symbol of both safety and dependence, at a time basic necessities were missing from store shelves.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
But for the most part Walt resented these wartime necessities.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
When moving day arrives, everything else should be packed in boxes except for a few necessities.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
The design features a large main compartment that’s generously sized for weekend getaways, gym gear, and even work necessities.
—Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
The Florida Policy Institute says more than 4 million households in Florida, more than ever before, will struggle to afford life’s basic necessities in the coming year.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Gone are the corporate and impersonal interiors, and here to stay are delicious, residential-feeling finishes such as iridescent chinoiserie wallpapers, fresh carpeting, and all-new necessities like televisions and phones.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
And while millions of Americans struggle to afford basic necessities, Trump is demanding $377 million—an 866 percent increase—to renovate the White House residence.
—John Whitehead, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
The cardboard box became a symbol of both safety and dependence, at a time basic necessities were missing from store shelves.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
But for the most part Walt resented these wartime necessities.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
When moving day arrives, everything else should be packed in boxes except for a few necessities.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
The design features a large main compartment that’s generously sized for weekend getaways, gym gear, and even work necessities.
—Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
The Florida Policy Institute says more than 4 million households in Florida, more than ever before, will struggle to afford life’s basic necessities in the coming year.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Gone are the corporate and impersonal interiors, and here to stay are delicious, residential-feeling finishes such as iridescent chinoiserie wallpapers, fresh carpeting, and all-new necessities like televisions and phones.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
And while millions of Americans struggle to afford basic necessities, Trump is demanding $377 million—an 866 percent increase—to renovate the White House residence.
—John Whitehead, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessities
Noun
-
Proponents of lighter federal regulation argue that a national policy framework with minimal requirements—focused on energy and infrastructure concerns rather than comprehensive AI restrictions—better serves both innovation and public interest than aggressive preemptive regulation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The weeklong trip includes hotel stays, a custom itinerary, and social media storytelling requirements.—
Meena Thiruvengadam,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other musts in the cocooning space are the 90-minute full-body scrub with Sicilian raw sea salt, sweet fennel and rosemary in the hammam, the futuristic energy hack with PEMF, hypervolt and LED face masks, and body toning sessions using Biologique Recherche.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Up to half of Cloud’s Rest is exposed and rocky—sunscreen, sturdy footwear, and a hat are musts.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Seasonal transitions impact plant care needs, making proper adjustments key to keeping them healthy.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Republican supermajority is reluctant to stop an unlimited cash flow to an ever-expanding school voucher program that bleeds billions from public schools, despite ample proof of sloppy bookkeeping and zero proof that voucher students’ needs are adequately met.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Necessities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessities. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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