as in necessary
impossible to do without
pack only what will be needed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in required
to have as a requirement
a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
October 23 – November 21 Which conversation could unlock needed relief?
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Scorpio October 23 – November 21 Which conversation could unlock needed relief?
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
This would add needed experience in two areas integral in making a transformative decision like whether to sell or not.
—Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2026
Newman, who fielded an offer from Texas as a four-star recruit out of Bridgeland High School, will add needed depth to the offensive line.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
As Oscar season ramps up, the 83rd Golden Globe Awards will fete a variety of movies and TV shows, plus give needed momentum to contenders aiming for glory at March 15's Academy Awards ceremony.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Jan. 2026
Loamy soil lets air circulate while still retaining needed moisture.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
Because of Prescott, the team’s front office should also have urgency to fix the defense and make needed additions.
—Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The six-time Super Bowl champion head coach fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Cover pan; cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat as needed to ensure mixture stays at a gentle simmer, until fennel is very tender, 15–20 minutes.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The city is recommending that Martinez coordinate with nearby Wells Fargo for additional parking if needed.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Consider professional help if needed.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Travelers are advised to wear repellent and cover up bare skin as needed.
—Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
Rodriguez first introduced the measure in August, arguing that disclosure requirements were needed before key charter proposals were finalized.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
The company said additional checks were needed before proceeding.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
In the long run, advocates said, the move could drive needed therapists out of the state, especially because the changes follow a 4% cut in 2025 to the rates Idaho pays providers who offer care to Medicaid patients.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
October 23 – November 21 Which conversation could unlock needed relief?
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Scorpio October 23 – November 21 Which conversation could unlock needed relief?
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
This would add needed experience in two areas integral in making a transformative decision like whether to sell or not.
—Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2026
Newman, who fielded an offer from Texas as a four-star recruit out of Bridgeland High School, will add needed depth to the offensive line.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
As Oscar season ramps up, the 83rd Golden Globe Awards will fete a variety of movies and TV shows, plus give needed momentum to contenders aiming for glory at March 15's Academy Awards ceremony.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Jan. 2026
Loamy soil lets air circulate while still retaining needed moisture.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
Because of Prescott, the team’s front office should also have urgency to fix the defense and make needed additions.
—Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
There were lessons that needed to be learned from the experience in Boston that were driven home at practice and applied one game later.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The six-time Super Bowl champion head coach fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Cover pan; cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat as needed to ensure mixture stays at a gentle simmer, until fennel is very tender, 15–20 minutes.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The city is recommending that Martinez coordinate with nearby Wells Fargo for additional parking if needed.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Consider professional help if needed.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Travelers are advised to wear repellent and cover up bare skin as needed.
—Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
Rodriguez first introduced the measure in August, arguing that disclosure requirements were needed before key charter proposals were finalized.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
The company said additional checks were needed before proceeding.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needed
Adjective
-
Klobuchar plans to make a public announcement in the coming days, according to a person close to the senator who spoke on the condition of anonymity and described the filing as a preliminary step necessary for any candidate considering a run.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
-
In the case of a major snowstorm, such as one this weekend projected to be the biggest Maryland has seen in a decade, AAA urges people to stay home and avoid the road unless absolutely necessary.—
Luke Parker,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, on a variety of cosmic scales, from the insides of individual galaxies to groups and clusters of galaxies all the way up to the largest filamentary structures of all, an additional source of gravity is required.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
For the previous ten seconds, a huge green piece of a caterpillar roll had required the curator’s entire attention.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The pill his team developed, YCT-529, works by blocking a vitamin-A-dependent protein essential for sperm growth, temporarily rendering men infertile without affecting their testosterone levels and thereby potentially introducing related side effects.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This scale of performance is essential for studying how materials behave under extreme conditions that cannot be replicated otherwise.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Alex wanted to make a difference in this world.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
25 Jan. 2026
-
That was more than Adelman had wanted to play him going into the game, so Denver gave him the next night off.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Who promises tomorrows to a whole needful planet, restrikes that match?—
Corey Van Landingham,
The New Yorker,
19 June 2023
-
They are not found to be such on the injustice and violence of individuals, and lose their efficacy in proportion to the number combined together, that is, in proportion as their efficacy becomes needful.—
James Freeman,
WSJ,
27 Dec. 2022
Adjective
-
The central role of the smart factory During this period of technological advancement, Smart Factory systems are increasingly integral.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
For the past dozen years Satterfield has also been an integral part of the jazz trio Interplay, which includes Bell and pianist Dave Mackay.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needed. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
