1
as in necessary
impossible to do without
purchase needful provisions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in poor
lacking money or material possessions
let's first help the needful families in our own community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in money
something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment
fortunately, the family had the needful to stock up the larder before the long hard winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
packed a warm jacket and other needfuls for an autumn weekend in the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of needful
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
For Queen and other Black poets, hip-hop is not only beats and rhymes but something more needful.
—Adam Bradley, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2021
Oxfam exhorts its supporters to send things to the needful Cratchits of the developing world.
—Matthew Sweet, The Economist, 4 Dec. 2020
McBride was touched by the way, in their later years, Marcroft was the primary caregiver for Joyce, who had become needful of that care.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Nov. 2020
Many proponents of critical race theory — whose animating idea is that race is the one thing needful, the single lens through which all other phenomena should be viewed — are indeed trying to compel compliance.
—Greg Weiner, National Review, 10 Sep. 2020
What sort of response was needful?
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2013
Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
Even on this side of the border, the supply of people without legal status but needful of income has led to employers’ brazenly violating child-labor laws.
—The Editors, National Review, 5 May 2023
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
For Queen and other Black poets, hip-hop is not only beats and rhymes but something more needful.
—Adam Bradley, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2021
Oxfam exhorts its supporters to send things to the needful Cratchits of the developing world.
—Matthew Sweet, The Economist, 4 Dec. 2020
McBride was touched by the way, in their later years, Marcroft was the primary caregiver for Joyce, who had become needful of that care.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Nov. 2020
Many proponents of critical race theory — whose animating idea is that race is the one thing needful, the single lens through which all other phenomena should be viewed — are indeed trying to compel compliance.
—Greg Weiner, National Review, 10 Sep. 2020
What sort of response was needful?
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2013
Noun
The actor did indeed ‘get it together’ and is doing the needful to make things official.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
Even on this side of the border, the supply of people without legal status but needful of income has led to employers’ brazenly violating child-labor laws.
—The Editors, National Review, 5 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needful
Adjective
-
After giving birth to her second child in April, the 32-year-old was determined to continue breastfeeding her son — a choice that was both personally important and financially necessary for her family.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The Federal Aviation Administration says the decision is necessary to keep travelers safe.—
Rio Yamat,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The Ministry of Environment blamed this year’s surge on a poor acorn harvest – which drove a similar spate of attacks in 2023.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Rather, the slow start (by Ovechkin’s standards) to this season seemed due more to poor puck luck.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
With Alonso on the market, the Red Sox could be more eager to add a power-hitting first baseman than to re-sign Bregman for more money.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Dozens of legislators, senators and construction companies have been accused of receiving kickbacks with money that was supposed to go toward establishing thousands of flood control projects.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Late hours are a must, bathroom graffiti helps and there should be a fairly high ratio of cheap beer to, well, pretty much everything else.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Elliott, a native Southerner, said sweet tea is a must for her menu, too.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
These measures arise as essential staff—particularly air traffic controllers—have been working without paychecks.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Vitamin D receptor genes play an essential role in calcium absorption.—
Trang Tran,
Verywell Health,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
All the struggling, impoverished Californians who wish their lives were better?—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The flood of people overwhelmed Bajo Chiquito, an impoverished community of 382 members of the Indigenous Emberá-Wounaan people.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed due to the cuts, you’re legally entitled to a cash refund, not just some future credit.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The Portugal-Japan collaboration from Moon Road Media & Films received a cash prize of $30,000 from the two sponsors of the award — TCCF organizer Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) and France’s Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC).—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But food hubs also have high startup and operational costs, challenges with maintaining a consistent supply and demand and recruiting skilled leadership and staff, and navigating organizational, regulatory and food safety requirements, Perez said.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Testing reveals an average power exceeding 200 kW in optimal steady-state conditions, surpassing the energy requirements for heavy-duty vehicles.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Needful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needful. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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