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
What sort of response was needful?
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2013
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
Sometimes environments and selection pressures change radically, and large effect mutations may become needful.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2010
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
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
What sort of response was needful?
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2013
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
Sometimes environments and selection pressures change radically, and large effect mutations may become needful.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2010
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
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
-
In disparate impact cases, defendants can argue that a requirement is nonetheless necessary for a job.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
5 May 2025
-
There is a limit of one per guest and no purchase, or ID, is necessary to get your free treat.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
Consumer spending softened, increasing 1.8%, down from a 4% rise in the fourth quarter, but a decent performance in light of stock market turmoil and poor weather early in the quarter.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
These factors could contribute material risk to Nike’s earnings and put the company in a poor position to manage near-term headwinds.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
-
This change would also upend decades of federal policy by moving money away from permanent housing and toward shelters and shorter-term housing.—
Jennifer Ludden,
NPR,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 $17 $15 at Amazon Facial sunscreens are a must in Florida, especially to prevent sun damage and premature aging.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
8 May 2025
-
For many couples who navigate this territory successfully, more frequent and more honest communication is a must.—
Anna Pulley,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
Now, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is emerging as its essential companion.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
The group called on the FAA to suspend some nearby helicopter routes with limited exceptions for essential military or medical emergencies.—
David Shepardson,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
Infectious disease experts note that the vitamin is most useful in impoverished countries where children are significantly malnourished.—
Katherine Dillinger,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
-
Post-Civil War, however, the nation was tired, and large segments of the population—especially in the South—were impoverished.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The cash is transferred in minutes, though this depends on your bank.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
10 May 2025
-
The farm is 37 minutes west of Kansas City and is cash only.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
The Windows 11 system requirements aren't too onerous.—
Justin Pot,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
-
Meeting these requirements will likely depend on AI vendors providing detailed technical disclosures, which could present challenges if vendors are unwilling or unable to share the necessary information.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Needful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needful. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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