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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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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
All those computers need enormous amounts of electricity — new plants and lines someone must pay for. — Kam Shenai, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026 For strategic answers, ask what the system would need to know before its advice could reasonably apply to you individually. — Leo S. Lo, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
At Sacramento's Front Street Animal Shelter, the need is especially urgent for kittens. — Melissa May, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 The Dodgers can’t admit it, and Ohtani would never acknowledge it, but this is a man in serious need of an extended rest. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 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 approach can potentially work with samples containing only tens or hundreds of atoms, dramatically reducing the amount of material required compared with conventional NMR.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Grayscale mode, minimalist launchers and app blockers can all make an iPhone feel less distracting without requiring a hardware swap.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 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
  • The ongoing conflict that has driven people from their homes in Iran as well as an internet shutdown and a lack of full cooperation from the two governments partially impeded the team's efforts to get information.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • A lot of the critiques up to this point have been about a lack of fluidity and flow to dancers — people look stiff, this isn’t surprising — but all of that is gone here.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of lack
Noun
  • By combining aluminum’s low weight with a pre-applied coating, the company is targeting a way to make battery components easier to manufacture while meeting durability and insulation requirements.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Yet after this rapid expansion, any potential slowdown in AI demand growth, or efficiency gains that reduce data center power requirements, could introduce significant instability into power grid operations.
    — , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of requirement
Noun
  • However, the secondary TV networks do not have any obligation to provide content to third parties.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But also know that no one is under any obligation to answer questions about their body, even at a gym.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • Over the four decades to 2020, China lifted the vast bulk of its population out of poverty, and in 2021 leader Xi Jinping declared that extreme poverty had been eliminated.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Bolsa Familia was the subject of thousands of academic studies in Brazil and abroad, which reported significant reductions in poverty, inequality and infant mortality.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of poverty
Verb
  • Zelenskyy also wants help to ensure the flow of Ukrainian grain and other farm products to world markets through the Black Sea.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • To speed things up, Democrats want amendment votes, most notably one that would allow college athletes to collectively bargain.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of want
Noun
  • Diners have been eating out less frequently, trying to save money while paying more for gas, groceries and other necessities.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Between the former’s inconsistency and the latter’s struggles to stay healthy, Levi might be the Oilers’ definitive starter out of nothing more than pure necessity.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of necessity

Browse Nearby Words

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need
needed
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Cite this Entry

“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on need

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about need

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