1
as in to require
to have as a requirement
a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
got a job that barely provided for his basic needs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obligation
something one must do because of prior agreement
no need to apologize
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
donating money to help those in need
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of need
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Nowadays, most Floridians don’t need someone to describe the benefits of good growth management to them.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Receptive but cautious Mayor Eric Johnson Johnson in August directed the council’s Finance Committee to decide whether City Hall best serves residents, identify the most responsible way to address growing repair needs and weigh all options for its future.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Verb
Then the governing federations for each individual Olympic sport would need to vote to end their bans.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Nowadays, most Floridians don’t need someone to describe the benefits of good growth management to them.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric's friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Receptive but cautious Mayor Eric Johnson Johnson in August directed the council’s Finance Committee to decide whether City Hall best serves residents, identify the most responsible way to address growing repair needs and weigh all options for its future.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
Verb
-
Identification requires letting Chinese cultural logic influence the structure of a campaign — not just its visuals or celebrity cast.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Whatever chemistry is required for incredible players to band together existed immediately, and the remaining outfield players worked hard to support them, defend and create chances to put the ball in behind opponents on counterattacks.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
From an outside lens, Norway’s lack of hockey success doesn’t make much sense, especially considering its status in other winter sports.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Visits to the shrine are seen by Japan's neighbors as evidence of a lack of remorse for Japan's wartime past.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Afterwards, ByteDance rolled back that feature and introduced verification requirements for users who want to create digital avatars with their own images and audio, according to Chinese media.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Not all nurses are certified to be a SANE, and certification requirements vary by state, according to Sekula.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In April 2025, Kansas City voters overwhelmingly approved a $474 million general obligation bond for KCPS, its first successful bond measure in over 60 years.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
But don’t let an obligation to politeness keep you from clarity.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The other would have removed the requirement that districts obtain the Legislature’s approval before opting into the program that lets all kids in high-poverty schools eat for free.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
15 Feb. 2026
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But John Rogers, a professor of education at UCLA who has studied the link between money and learning, suggested a bigger issue in the new war on poverty is about self-image and expectation.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That said, Freeman still wants to play 162 games.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Visitors include couples on weekend getaways, friend groups on girls trips, and locals wanting a taste of their city's newest hotspot.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
From monthly sales to discounts on household necessities, there is no shortage of savings.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Forging a broad coalition across these tendencies seems like an obvious necessity but has so far proved elusive.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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