Synonyms of needs

needs 1 of 3

adverb

ˈnēdz 

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

• necessarily
• inevitably
• unavoidably
• ipso facto
• inescapably
• ineluctably
• perforce
• involuntarily

needs

2 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of need

1

as in requires

to have as a requirement

a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• requires
• wants
• takes
• demands
• involves
• necessitates
• challenges
• claims
• calls for
• warrants
• entails
• asks
• begs
• bears
• lacks
• insists
• cries (for)
• hurts (for)
• stipulates
• clamors (for)
• exacts
• commands
• enjoins
• presses
• quests

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• has
• holds
• owns
• possesses

2

as in must

to be under necessity or obligation to

you need not stand when she enters the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

• must
• should
• will
• shall
• has (to)
• ought (to)

needs

3 of 3

noun

plural of need

1

as in requirements

something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable

got a job that barely provided for his basic needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• requirements
• necessities
• musts
• demands
• requisites
• essentials
• needfuls
• necessaries
• conditions
• sine qua nons
• must-haves
• prerequisites
• preconditions
• advantages
• wishes
• pluses
• desiderata
• edges
• desiderations

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonessentials
• surpluses
• comforts
• amenities
• luxuries
• nonnecessities
• extras
• frills
• extravagances
• indulgences
• superfluities
• surplusages

2

as in obligations

something one must do because of prior agreement

no need to apologize

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obligations
• responsibilities
• duties
• requirements
• promises
• commitments
• vows
• constraints
• burdens
• imperatives
• offices
• pledges
• charges
• dos
• payments
• words
• devoirs
• pacts
• incumbencies
• arrangements
• trusts
• contracts
• forces
• oaths
• setups
• debts
• restraints
• compulsions
• musts
• appointments
• covenants
• compacts
• reservations
• tributes
• prearrangements
• engagements
• troths
• duresses
• coercions
• onuses

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stays
• exemptions
• graces
• options
• releases
• waivers
• discharges
• alternatives
• preferences
• choices
• eases
• reliefs
• postponements
• loopholes
• selections
• picks

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of needs

Verb

The office needs the two systems — one to safely take whistleblower complaints, one to manage audit files. — Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Instead of asking only what a leader needs to do better, the question becomes what kind of environment that leader's presence—or absence—is creating. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

When a product is recalled, a human being — an inspector, a store associate or a customer — needs to decipher the bin and lot number to determine whether a product is safe or dangerous. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

There is time to work through early growing pains for Dan Lanning’s Ducks, but by November, this needs to be locked down. — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Loving Venus sits in your 7th House of Partnership, facing nebulous Neptune across your 1st House of Identity, so connection needs kindness while self-expression needs steadiness. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026

Daemon, with his Valyrian steel warhelm and taste for annihilation, is who Rhaenyra needs riding shotgun now that Team Green has established a crown-seeking triumvirate of sons. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

The industry needs to move with urgency and invest in innovative ways to do that well. — Shelley Simpson, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

This sport needs a real race right now in the worst possible way. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Noun

Providing mental health support can be effective in helping students get their needs addressed, said DePaoli. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Businesses continuously evolve along with society, customer needs and the macro forces around us. — Billee Howard, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

According to Amazon, the company worked closely with Jasper County officials to tailor it to local needs, and it was approved by a unanimous vote of county officials. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Testing reactors for minimal power needs Rosatom is also testing micro-reactors for remote areas with minimal power needs. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026

Exceptions whose labor powers one of the most profitable storytelling machines in the world, while their mental needs are treated as inconvenient or irrelevant. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 23 Aug. 2026

Your ideal portion depends on your overall eating pattern, blood sugar goals, medications, and individual carbohydrate needs. — Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 16 Aug. 2026

Libra September 23 – October 22 Your charm lands beautifully when your needs are clear. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2026

The Duluth and Case Rec Center, which has suffered mounting maintenance needs, also would likely shutter. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2026