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

The search committee clearly stated that all that was needed was strong executive leadership. — Patrick Riccards, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

The Lakers decided the Shaq era needed to be over and sent him to Miami for Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Caron Butler, one first-round pick and one second-round pick. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Use a ladder if needed to reach shutters that are too high to reach from the ground. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026

Streaming residuals were a key issue for both writers and actors during the 2023 strike, as workers argued that streaming platforms had broken the traditional TV model and deprived them of income needed to survive in an uncertain industry. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026

Working in batches if needed, place sliders in air-fryer basket (do not overcrowd). — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 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

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