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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of need
Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
To say nothing about the thorny question of its genre—do Eastern European writers need to provide more explanations and justifications when using the technique of autofiction?
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Pintu Kumar Mahla, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
The first team to win two games (either in regulation or penalties; there are no draws) will go through to the conference semifinals, and if there’s a need for a third game, it will be hosted by the team with the better seed.
—Avi Creditor, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for need
Verb
Baltimore will badly need to add talented young players on affordable contracts to balance the team’s top-heavy salary structure.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
To say nothing about the thorny question of its genre—do Eastern European writers need to provide more explanations and justifications when using the technique of autofiction?
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
The need for water security Bangladesh’s hydro challenges are multifaceted.
—Pintu Kumar Mahla, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
The first team to win two games (either in regulation or penalties; there are no draws) will go through to the conference semifinals, and if there’s a need for a third game, it will be hosted by the team with the better seed.
—Avi Creditor, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
Verb
-
Power politics on the issue of affordability require careful strategizing of the politics of power.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Continuous or not, the current route to reaching AGI requires what would be the largest infrastructure build in history.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But the lack of a concrete, overarching deal is still a problem.—
Kerry Brown,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Fiery press conferences, frustration over a lack of signings, and a glum touchline demeanour paint a worrying picture.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Of course, a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge is a must, as is a day trip to Muir Woods National Monument to stand beneath towering, centuries-old redwoods.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
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After shifting power to the people—like a year-plus bus boycott can do, for example—and getting the government to lessen its corruption, cruelty, injustice or violence, defending those gains is a must.—
Michael Shank,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the tenant’s passing, the lease and all its terms and obligations transfer to their estate, which is legally responsible for paying rent until the contract is terminated.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
-
This ratio indicates if your business can cover its debt obligations with its earnings.—
Danielle Higley,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Generally, to be SNAP-eligible, a household's gross income cannot exceed 13% of the federal poverty level, according to a the 2020 report.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Nearly 20% of the population in industrialized cities lived in poverty at the time.—
Fahad Zuberi,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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All this after Fern just wanted to renovate her boring bookseller life by starting over next to her orc pal Viv’s coffee shop!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Airwallex’s focus, instead, is on companies that want a global presence and need to be able to issue employee cards, open bank accounts, and pay merchants across dozens of jurisdictions.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Qualls will face regular work reporting requirements, more frequent eligibility checks, as well as the quarterly wage checks that Louisiana Medicaid already conducts.—
NPR,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
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The chief appraiser then ensures each of the nominees are in good standing with the property tax code’s requirements.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That gap creates an opportunity—and a responsibility—for leadership.—
Kelly Jones,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The title refers to the blame placed on working women tacitly assigned responsibility for their kids as well as their jobs, an assumption that becomes explicit in a time of crisis.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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