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

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

The chance of needed rain and a few storms is increasing and will peak later Wednesday evening. — Cutter Martin, CBS News, 13 May 2026

Verb

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

The biggest mystery is whether the Heat will make the compromises needed to accommodate James, his family and his team. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 14 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

This is a good time to tackle home repairs that have needed your attention. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 8 July 2026