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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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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

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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
Reaching out with just his left hand, Brown needed just one mitt to haul in the grab for his second touchdown of the night in what was the Cowboys’ highlight play of the game. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026 Later, the Moon opposes Saturn, reminding us that harmony still needs structure. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
This incident highlights the crucial need for early disclosure, thorough partner vetting, and prioritizing trust in data monetization strategies. — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 This creates a need for autonomous logistics systems that can continue functioning even when conditions are degraded. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 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
  • For Arsenal, the mission to create their best possible squad for depth and quality requires some upgrades in certain areas, and Berta won’t mind being ruthless if a sacrifice here leads to a new crowning there.
    — Kaya Kaynak, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • New York state requires riders of all forms of e-bikes to be at least 16, and New York City imposes additional restrictions, including a 15 mph (24 kph) speed limit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 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
  • Constant said failure to appear charges, often due to the bus being late, a lack of childcare or permission to take the day off from work, are driving Connecticut’s pretrial population.
    — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The main reason China has been able to play this role is Washington’s lack of follow-up on sanctions, according to energy analyst Kjell Eikland, director of Eikland Energy AS.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of lack
Noun
  • States are also setting up systems that may not adequately track pregnant and postpartum enrollees who should be exempt from the law’s new work requirements, erroneously dropping them from coverage, Burak’s report said.
    — Andrew Jones, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • There is a new effort to increase the minimum wage and training requirements for security guards in California ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
    — Steve Large, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of requirement
Noun
  • When serious concerns involving district operations and oversight are raised, the Board has an obligation to investigate them thoroughly, carefully consider the findings and act in the best long-term interest of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
    — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Times reported that the original deals for the top creatives included zero obligations for a sequel.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • The war is threatening years of progress in education and poverty reduction in Bangladesh, whose economy already was under strain.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • New York assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, a democratic socialist, spoke at a rally on Thursday protesting against jailing people who steal items, such as personal care products, as a result of living in poverty.
    — Emily Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of poverty
Verb
  • When interviewed by The Athletic in May, head coach Lampard was clear that recruitment would be key if Coventry wanted to compete back in the Premier League.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • That aching ballad about wanting more, aside from being one of the big showstoppers, holds a special place for Greene.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of want
Noun
  • Finding a solution for this problem position remains a necessity.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In an attempt to combat the limited water supply, the Puerto Rican government is turning off residents’ access to the necessity on a rotating 48-hour basis.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of necessity

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nectars
need
needed
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Cite this Entry

“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on need

Nglish: Translation of need for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about need

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