Synonyms of needed

needed 1 of 2

adjective

as in necessary

impossible to do without

pack only what will be needed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• necessary
• required
• essential
• needful
• integral
• vital
• imperative
• critical
• crucial
• important
• requisite
• must-have
• indispensable
• all-important
• mandatory
• of the essence
• compulsory
• prerequisite
• basic
• key
• necessitous
• urgent
• major
• meaningful
• fundamental
• obligatory
• organic
• substantial
• significant
• momentous
• central
• pressing
• persistent
• insistent
• consequential
• nonelective
• material
• weighty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unnecessary
• needless
• nonessential
• extra
• unwanted
• unneeded
• undesired
• dispensable
• unimportant
• insignificant
• excess
• external
• unessential
• superfluous
• inessential
• surplus
• inconsequential
• extraneous

needed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of need

as in required

to have as a requirement

a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• required
• wanted
• took
• demanded
• involved
• necessitated
• challenged
• claimed
• warranted
• called for
• bore
• asked
• entailed
• begged
• lacked
• insisted
• hurt (for)
• cried (for)
• stipulated
• clamored (for)
• enjoined
• exacted
• pressed
• commanded
• quested

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• had
• held
• owned
• possessed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of needed

Adjective

Thanks to soccer, often called the world’s beautiful game, many found a needed distraction. — Alfredo Corchado, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Add mulch to flower beds as the rain lets up for the season, so it won’t get washed away and will still retain needed moisture. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 July 2026

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, who less than a week ago declared a state of emergency in his country following weeks of anti-government protests, said his country stood ready to provide any needed assistance. — ABC News, 25 June 2026

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

Verb

Both needed managing by England coach Thomas Tuchel, missing some training sessions and matches, but were able to feature and score in that last game against France. — Art De Roché, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Evan Bland said his wife insisted that everyone in the home needed to be baptized in the bathtub. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

The broadcaster hopes that the aforementioned cost cuts will deliver around £160 million ($214 million) of £500 million ($669 million) in savings needed by 2028/29. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Rally leaders argued that voting Democrats into office is needed to fix the system. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026

But, as evidenced by the response on Instagram, there was a void Big Daddy Kane needed to fill. — Kyle Eustice, VIBE.com, 14 July 2026

The funding also covers working capital needed to expand production. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

The house put the family and its guests not only in direct contact with the awe-inspiring waterfall beneath it but also with the geological feature’s humidity, causing mildew growth that needed mitigation. — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026