needs 1 of 3

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

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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
London desperately needs that at a time when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his ministers have been accused of harming business sentiment and investment with recent tax rises. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025 Rhodes needs a heel run at some point in the next year or two. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 That needs to be rectified shortly. Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 School officials say the district needs this money to continue important programs, such as all-day kindergarten and free breakfasts for all K-12 students, despite state and federal funding uncertainties. Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman, 10 Sep. 2025 Roberson, leader of the church since 2023, has also opened the doors of the Cathedral from Monday-Saturday for tours, prayers or anyone walking by who needs a quick respite from the Miami heat. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025 Asked about Democrats’ broader struggles heading into 2026, Jenkins said the party needs to focus less on messaging and more on listening. Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025 Additionally, Social Security needs to be bolstered, experts say. Medora Lee, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025 His project needs just 52 parking spaces, which have already been secured. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
The Global South's innovation ecosystem shows us that technology can emerge from and serve local needs. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Given City’s soft centre has come from a failure to cope with counter-attacks and a lack of pace to defend in a high line, Khusanov may just be the blunt force antidote Guardiola needs. Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 As a result, the breed tends to have high mental stimulation needs and can benefit from having a job or activity to keep them occupied. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025 There are no hard and fast rules regarding the frequency of sweeping, as the floor care needs of each home depend on several different factors. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needs
Adverb
  • That’s going to remain; nobody’s going to necessarily change the standards or how to do it.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But Tennessee Williams didn’t say anything about remembrance of things past necessarily rendering people into cardboard and circumstance into stereotype.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That requires humans to choose regeneration over extraction.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • However, the infrastructure costs are enormous, since maglev requires entirely new guideways, rather than upgrading existing tracks.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Then, in January 2025, the government introduced a Social Media Bill that placed further requirements on social media platforms.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Over the years, the government's reporting requirements have changed, which makes historical comparisons a little tricky.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The software giant has repeatedly encountered shortages in AI computing, exacerbated by its obligations to supply OpenAI.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The higher wages still allow people to keep up with obligations and build stronger credit profiles.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Refocusing On Long-Term Results As the marketing pendulum inevitably swings from domination by spreadsheet-wielding geeks to marketing by creative brand-builders, companies will realize that they have been overly focused on short-term results.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The Second World War left Japan devastated, but the seven-year occupation that followed inevitably fostered exposure and, for some, a certain attraction to American culture.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Their simple plan goes awry when one of their relatives wants a posh Korean wedding banquet in the heartfelt romantic comedy.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • If your toddler wants to listen to even more music after school, start with this playlist, which is just over 30 minutes.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To secure this ideal, the country would need to establish necessities such as education, employment, decent shelter, medical care, and recreation as human rights — rights to be as inalienable as the freedoms of speech and religion are today.
    Big Think, Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The ensuite bathroom was a bit fluorescent and barracks-like but was stocked with all the necessities, CO Bigelow-style.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Parents who have no one else who can drop off and pick up their kids from school, for instance, need at least more flexibility in work hours and time off than employees who don’t have these responsibilities.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Women also most often mentioned family-role sacrifices (like childcare and household responsibilities).
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needs. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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