need 1 of 2

verb

Definition of neednext
1
as in to require
to have as a requirement a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it

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2
as in to must
to be under necessity or obligation to you need not stand when she enters the room

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need

2 of 2

noun

ˈnēd How to pronounce need (audio)
1
as in lack
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful when it came time to wrap the presents, he found he was in need of adhesive tape

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2
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable got a job that barely provided for his basic needs

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3
as in obligation
something one must do because of prior agreement no need to apologize

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions donating money to help those in need

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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 need
Verb
And the last two months have proven that the threat to leave can provide powerful leverage should Ellison need anything from state government in the future. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026 Scientists need to study Starr to discover the secrets of longevity. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
Doing so will place us in a strong position to responsibly anticipate future needs and, most importantly, assure the future well-being of our city’s residents. — Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026 The speed of strategic change is creating acquisition needs across industries, and boards are discussing those needs before attractive targets come to market. — Rusty Wiley, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
  1. require
  2. must
  3. lack
  4. requirement
  5. obligation
  6. poverty
  7. want
  8. necessity
Verb
  • The city’s postcard sights and destination-worthy dining spots require at least a 20-minute taxi drive or a hop on The Siam’s boat, which can drop you off at most piers along the river.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Twenty-three states have no rating from the big agencies at all, which locks them out of mandates that require one.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of require
Verb
  • The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
Definition of must
Noun
  • China’s leading firms are still just approaching top US labs in capabilities, partly explaining their lack of transparency.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The fact that there’s anything Showtime-branded at all remains deeply weird given Paramount’s lack of investment.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of lack
Noun
  • Thiel also secured New Zealand citizenship in 2011, receiving a special exemption from the usual residency requirements.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The company said at the time that the facility would test battery performance, quality and durability under requirements specific to the region.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of requirement
Noun
  • Saada has threatened before to reduce the group’s investment during tense negotiations over windowing rules and Canal+ was granted an earlier access to movies after their theatrical run in exchange for its substantial investment obligations.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Any business that outsources development, operations or customer support to third parties should also assume that obligation follows the data, not the org chart.
    — Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • Families with household income up to 400% of the federal poverty level qualify, meaning a family of four earning up to $132,000 a year could apply for the 2026–27 school year.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • His supporters point to other parts of his record, including reductions in poverty and efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest.
    — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of poverty
Verb
  • Stats show travel retail stores are being mined for discovery and unforgettable memories, with 86 percent of people wanting exclusive beauty offers in the channel, according to L’Oréal.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In January, a section of Interstate 70 is scheduled to close for 11 months, and the Missouri Department of Transportation wants residents to be prepared.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of want
Noun
  • Noir is to superhero as physical mediums are to digital media as physical necessity is to virtual contingency.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The project is part of a $46-billion border buildout facing resistance from landowners, Native American tribes and conservation groups over its costs, necessity and potential damage to sensitive landscapes.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of necessity

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Cite this Entry

“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on need

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about need

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