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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of need
Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
At certain moments, leaders need to be in the spotlight, the sage on stage.
—Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
This is why recent appeals to Jevons paradox, and how the need for human interaction may mean less job loss than prior predictions by AI leaders such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman are so revealing.
—Christopher Marquis, Time, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Verb
Feenstra will need to garner 35% of the vote to secure his candidacy.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
At certain moments, leaders need to be in the spotlight, the sage on stage.
—Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Noun
Regulators are expected to balance the best interests of consumers with the utility’s business needs.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
This is why recent appeals to Jevons paradox, and how the need for human interaction may mean less job loss than prior predictions by AI leaders such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman are so revealing.
—Christopher Marquis, Time, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
Verb
-
Both passengers have agreed and are required to remain at their residences, have no contact with other people, and participate in daily monitoring activities conducted by local health officials.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
The glamorous Old Hollywood theme extends into the guestrooms, but not all are created equal—some bathrooms are big enough to dance a waltz in, others require you to keep your elbows tucked.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The problem was that when injuries started to bite, a lack of depth was laid bare.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
The franchisees migrated away from the legacy brand because of rising food costs, slowing sales and a lack of engagement from the corporate office, according to The Fresno Bee.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
This veto aligns with Polis’ veto of a similar bill last year that featured a 48-hour warrant compliance requirement and stricter self-policing by the platforms.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
They were freed with the requirement that the mother and Habiba would wear ankle monitors and the family would appear for frequent check-ins.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
This year, Davis began the process of shifting some sidewalk repair obligations onto adjacent property owners to address a repaving backlog and citywide budget deficit.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
-
Gomez also criticized the public notice that warned broadcasters about their public interest obligations.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The artist behind the series descended into poverty following the breakdown that left her unable to paint; years later her teen daughter, Indigo, herself a gifted artist, is barely keeping the two of them afloat.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
De La Espriella has proposed poverty reduction through better education, healthcare and housing for the poorest.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
San Diego still wants to build through pressure, circulate the ball, involve the goalkeeper and create superiority through the midfield.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
The key to making housing more affordable is both building smaller starter homes that people can afford, and changing preferences so people want to live in them.—
Allison Schrager,
Twin Cities,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Baraka, Shange, and Harryman taken together can articulate distinct and convergent approaches to multivocal necessity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
Folks can’t afford their basic necessities like groceries, utilities or gas for their cars.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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