1
as in requirement
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
on any road trip, accurate maps are a necessity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Both are retired and could no longer afford to live in Venezuela, where the collapsing economy made even basic necessities unaffordable.
—
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
A certain amount of optimism must be a psychological necessity for leaders of the Baltic states.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 7 May 2025
More than structural necessities, these endpapers serve as prime real estate for maps, engravings and illustrations, particularly in children’s books.
—Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
One of the key messages in his book is the necessity for leadership to take an active role in cybersecurity governance.
—William Jones, USA Today, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
A certain amount of optimism must be a psychological necessity for leaders of the Baltic states.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 7 May 2025
More than structural necessities, these endpapers serve as prime real estate for maps, engravings and illustrations, particularly in children’s books.
—Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
One of the key messages in his book is the necessity for leadership to take an active role in cybersecurity governance.
—William Jones, USA Today, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessity
Noun
-
However, some analysts also credited other factors, such as eliminating minimum parking requirements.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
-
Meeting these requirements will likely depend on AI vendors providing detailed technical disclosures, which could present challenges if vendors are unwilling or unable to share the necessary information.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
According to the logline, Nook dreams of a better life but is caught in a rampant cycle of poverty and desperation within his Atlanta community.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
2 May 2025
-
My Ly covers health care and poverty for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.—
My Ly,
Arkansas Online,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 $17 $15 at Amazon Facial sunscreens are a must in Florida, especially to prevent sun damage and premature aging.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
8 May 2025
-
While no prior acting experience is required for the aforementioned roles, prior kitchen experience is a must.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
Some of his misery has resulted from brilliant deflections or bad bounces off of his defencemen, but Hellebuyck is responsible for enough of his problems to earn the unwanted attention.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Strangling the dog to put it out of its misery could be seen as both an act of cruelty and an act of generosity, and that contradiction is interesting.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessity. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share