NECESSITY Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

necessity

noun

ni-ˈse-sə-tē

Definition of necessity

as in requirement

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 necessity But as each new generation gets further away from the novel’s original milieu and the image of Holden Caulfield has become shorthand for privileged disaffection, its necessity in curricula has been questioned. — Adam Messinger, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 The rule in your case is that keeping the neighbors up at night is rude, but excusable in the case of unavoidable necessity. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 It is associated with being able to afford life’s necessities and the kind of strong economic rights found in Norway and other Scandinavian countries. — Kirk McClure, Fortune, 14 July 2026 Amenities and experiences Faraway nails the details and has thought of all of the mountain necessities. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for necessity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessity

Noun

With low maintenance requirements and fast turnaround, Gripen provides an advanced and cost-effective fighter capability that is easy to operate and maintain, according to the company.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
DAFs carry no legal payout requirement — the dollars are irrevocably committed to charity, but on no particular schedule.

— Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of requirement

Noun

Or that Franciscan fathers — members of an order dedicated to lives of poverty and humility — forced tribes to give up their foods, customs and religion in the name of Christ, rewarding them with serfdom.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
In recent years, Lampedusa has become Ground Zero of Europe’s migration debate as the continent struggles to police its borders while honoring its legal obligations to welcome refugees fleeing conflict, climate change and poverty.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of poverty

Noun

These old folks would rather be short than long, and their short sales (which are bets that the stocks will go down lower) are part of the fuel that makes owning at least some of these a must.

— Jim Cramer, Contributor, CNBC, 16 July 2026
For an elevated yet quintessential camp-like experience, High Hampton is a must.

— Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 2026

Definition of must

Browse Nearby Words

necessitous

necessity

neck

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Style

“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessity. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of necessity

noun

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