Synonyms of necessity

necessity

noun

ni-ˈse-sə-tē 

1

as in requirement

something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable

on any road trip, accurate maps are a necessity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• requirement
• must
• necessary
• need
• essential
• requisite
• demand
• needful
• must-have
• condition
• prerequisite
• sine qua non
• precondition
• advantage
• plus
• wish
• desideratum
• edge
• desideration

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• surplus
• luxury
• comfort
• extra
• extravagance
• indulgence
• nonnecessity
• nonessential
• superfluity
• surplusage
• frill
• amenity

2

as in poverty

the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions

two years of unemployment had reduced the family to abject necessity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• poverty
• misery
• need
• destitution
• impoverishment
• penury
• indigence
• pauperism
• neediness
• beggary
• poorness
• deprivation
• impecuniosity
• impecuniousness
• exigency
• penuriousness
• destituteness
• emergency
• want
• bankruptcy
• wretchedness
• woe
• privation
• gutter
• rainy day
• insolvency
• austerity
• pinching
• belt-tightening
• straitening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wealth
• richness
• affluence
• opulence
• luxury
• prosperity
• wealthiness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of necessity

Despite this, the California Democratic Party endorsed Prop 40, suggesting the billionaires' actions reinforce the tax's necessity. — Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

For anyone under 45, coverage typically hinges on medical necessity. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026

Apple laptops for college students For college students, a laptop has become a complete necessity. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

The leverage that public health plans have Before reversing course, Montana embraced a more hardball approach to lower health care costs out of necessity. — Bob Herman, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026