needs 1 of 3

Definition of needsnext
as in necessarily
because of necessity the dangers of global warming must needs be recognized—and recognized soon—by the industrialized nations of the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

needs

2 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of need
1
2
as in must
to be under necessity or obligation to you need not stand when she enters the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

needs

3 of 3

noun

plural of need

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 needs
Verb
For the sanctions to pass, the 27-nation bloc needs to reach a unanimous decision. Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026 When supply drops, the grid needs backup. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026 Although Thompson and Sheppard are clearly at the early stages of their respective careers, Houston needs both of them to grow up fast so this team can have a chance at making a deep run in the Western Conference. William Guillory, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026 The court saying, Congress needs to get in the game. ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026 Our fractured and fragmented health care system needs stability. Arthur E. Palamara, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026 Leaves that are leggy or pale are also signs your plant needs more light. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026 If chores pile up or a co-worker leaves tasks unfinished, define what needs to happen on your end before taking action. Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026 The old factory where Andy Didorosi wants to build tiny trucks needs a new roof. Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
Meyer argues that the state spends billions without addressing glaring needs, and 5200 could cost less than roller-coastering people through hospitals, courts, jails and prisons without putting them on a healthier track. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026 The majority of Americans belong to the working class and are finding their paychecks unable to keep up with the higher and higher prices of everyday needs. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026 As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric's friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs. Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026 Receptive but cautious Mayor Eric Johnson Johnson in August directed the council’s Finance Committee to decide whether City Hall best serves residents, identify the most responsible way to address growing repair needs and weigh all options for its future. Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026 Unsure of what the best layout would be for your needs? Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026 An internal audit uncovered purchases that did not match the residents' needs, police said. Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026 Planting these two herbs together will cause one of them to struggle since needs cannot be met for both plants. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026 Funding decisions should be guided by student needs, enrollment trends and transparency to ensure equity and strong outcomes across all schools. Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needs
Adverb
  • Nowak noted that while generative AI will create new products, these early agentic travel products are developing differently than investors had necessarily expected.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
  • It isn’t accompanied with authorities investigating disappearances, murders, corruption or even necessarily halting the flow of drugs.
    Angélica Durán-Martínez, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • That also requires a level of play that the Aztecs (18-8, 12-4) have not approached in the last two games.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
  • If a student’s name appears in both district and private-school enrollment, state law requires the student’s funding be frozen to prevent duplication.
    Natalie La Roche Pietri, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • While countries such as Spain and clubs such as Barcelona train their young players for years using the same system, with the same positional requirements and following the same procedures, Germany jumps from trend to trend.
    Philipp Lahm, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Advertisement Henderson noted that 486 voters had registration information that was incomplete or inaccurate and that a third of that group registered decades ago, when the state did not have the same requirements.
    Connor Greene, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The roster’s age and future payroll obligations put it in win-now mode.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The total amount reflects earned leave accumulated during Smith's tenure and does not include any additional severance beyond contractual obligations.
    Jack Lowenstein, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • Whenever a severe snowstorm is predicted for Rhode Island, conversation inevitably turns to the Blizzard of '78.
    Lynne Sullivan, The Providence Journal, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Once citizens begin to wonder whether criticism of public officials might trigger scrutiny, participation in civic life inevitably shrinks.
    Bob Shaw, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Well, the dog died, and now Lauren wants to take bereavement leave.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Now, Achane likely wants to get paid, something Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan explained will likely have to wait considering the current cap restraints.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And as people struggle to afford basic necessities, vinyls aren’t at the top of their lists, Amalfitano said.
    Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Taurus April 20 – May 20 Shared plans may collide with practical necessities.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needs. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.

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