needed 1 of 2

Definition of needednext

needed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of need

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 needed
Adjective
Before Erceg entered the game in the ninth, the Royals gave KC’s bullpen some needed cushion. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026 Weeks after the collapse of hometown Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways is doubling down on serving Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, giving Florida’s third-largest airport a needed boost. Miami Herald, 23 May 2026 Gulf sovereign wealth funds recently pushed for significantly more attractive economics in exchange for providing needed capital, $24 billion. Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 Harden has come through in needed moments this spring. Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 21 May 2026 This should be a needed breath of fresh air for the Cowboys after a super rough start to the season, but Dallas has lost eight of its last nine contests against the Cardinals dating back to 2006, including four losses in a row. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026 The chance of needed rain and a few storms is increasing and will peak later Wednesday evening. Cutter Martin, CBS News, 13 May 2026 The needed response to climate change is different for each region of the United States and the world. Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 Funds from discontinued projects would provide needed infrastructure. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Verb
But De Zerbi needed to do more than say the right words and take the players out for dinner to ensure their survival. Jay Harris, New York Times, 27 May 2026 The encounter is ostensibly intended to demonstrate the kind of ruthless decisiveness that Eisenhower would have needed in wartime. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 May 2026 Copper is a major export, and mining for rare earth elements, needed for most modern technologies, has become more common in Laos recently. ABC News, 26 May 2026 Perhaps the cost and effort of devising specialized AI will not be needed for some challenging math problems. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 The work is needed to make the road safer. Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 26 May 2026 Braun told these hatchlings that they were too wedded to script, and needed to learn how to let sound tell the story. Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Deposits will not guarantee access to a season membership, but they can be applied to a future membership if needed. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026 There were too many steps that needed to be taken in between. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needed
Adjective
  • Last spring, the mayor vetoed the budget adopted by the council, and an override ended up being necessary.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
  • The cosmonauts are effectively the human equivalent of first dog Laika, sacrificing themselves — if necessary — for the good of the wider populous.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • While his previous rosters were ready-made, this one required more teaching.
    Jay King, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • Early scattered four hits, three walks and recorded seven strikeouts across his start, which required a season-high 97 pitches (65 for strikes).
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • By pairing two of nature’s most beloved, essential ingredients, each transforms the other to create an experience that has to be tasted to be believed.
    Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026
  • Defer essential or discretionary expenses that are reasonably affordable.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • Just wanted to know what your thoughts are on this.
    Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
  • Richards, who wanted another umpire to make a ruling with a better angle, said the officials told him Pena did not keep possession.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Her voice is slurred, needful, abject.
    Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026
  • That image of God never has a problem, never has a disease, never lacks anything needful or truly desirable, and has never sinned.
    Douglas Sytsma, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The episode is emblematic of a gulf of trust that many faculty members have with the Adam Smith Center, even as faculty-level politics and relationships continue to play an integral role in the Center’s future.
    Daniel Rivero, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
  • Since its formation in the 1980s in response to an Israeli invasion, Hezbollah has become an integral part of the Lebanese state and wields considerable power in the country.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Needed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needed. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.

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