1
as in requirement
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
on any road trip, accurate maps are a necessity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of necessity
The justification is always necessity – the emergency demanded action, and action required flexibility.
—
Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Rather, it was made out of necessity and frustration.
—Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026
And that coalition means making inroads into the Democratic big cities of the North, and that means, of necessity, jettisoning concern for the freed slaves.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Palestinians in Gaza who spoke with the AP in recent weeks questioned whether the ceasefire's next steps will improve conditions, pointing to ongoing bloodshed and ongoing challenges in securing basic necessities.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Rather, it was made out of necessity and frustration.
—Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026
And that coalition means making inroads into the Democratic big cities of the North, and that means, of necessity, jettisoning concern for the freed slaves.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Palestinians in Gaza who spoke with the AP in recent weeks questioned whether the ceasefire's next steps will improve conditions, pointing to ongoing bloodshed and ongoing challenges in securing basic necessities.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessity
Noun
-
Failed units must be remediated or tenants relocated within 30 days, as well as the establishment of a complaint hotline for 24/7 reporting and the requirement of a landlord response within five business days.—
JAMES HERRERA MONTEREY HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
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But under the bill, land-use changes outside the Urban Development Boundary would require a simple majority vote, which is the current requirement for changes inside the boundary.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
California, for instance, is making up for the loss of premium tax credits, but only for ACA enrollees who earn up to 150% of the federal poverty level.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Maisie is a throw-away child in 1910, captivated by a poster of a magical French carousel, when an aunt snatches her out of poverty and takes her into the home of her wealthy employer, a British lord.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Keeping clean and precise transaction records to protect themselves is a must, as the Department of Justice and Customs and Border Protection have been tasked with cracking down on any attempts at tariff evasion.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Jan. 2026
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For a neighborhood favorite, Loretta’s Pralines on Rampart Street is a must.—
Sophie Morgan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This week’s massive winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow on at least 19 states, including those like Texas and Tennessee that are less prepared to deal with the miseries of winter weather.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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But apartheid brought immense unhappiness and misery to white South Africans, too.—
Eve Fairbanks,
The Dial,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessity. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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