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

Not every productive moment needs an audience, a grand entrance, or your name in lights. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026

For example, experts might put a lot of effort into listening to community needs to demonstrate integrity and openness, but miss opportunities to communicate the underlying benevolent motivations driving their work. — John C. Besley, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Potassium is a mineral your body needs for proper heart and muscle function. — Zia Sherrell, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026

That, after all, is the sign of team who needs to consistently churn the bottom of their roster in order to find gems. — Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026

Government backing will strengthen the defense industry Deterrence requires stable and sustainable defense equipment production, so Japan needs to reduce risks of shortages caused by suppliers withdrawing, officials said. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

The sexy older chick for Tom in this film needs to be Nicole. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026

Taurus April 20 – May 20 A quieter part of you may know exactly what home needs next. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

By August 25, the district attorney must decide whether to seek to vacate Myers’ conviction or if the story needs to be heard by a jury again. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Noun

The family has several immediate needs, including clothing, food, personal items and help with temporary living expenses, Sharp said. — Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026

Try meeting their needs first and see if their behavior shifts. — Juli Fraga, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2026

Lehman estimated there are only about 10 to 15 farms operating today that have large ostrich herds, and those producers have a better understanding of the animals’ behavior and free range needs. — Dylan Lovan, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026

When union dues are forced, union bosses can ignore workers’ needs and interests with impunity. — Mark Mix, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

The Moon squares disciplined Saturn, creating tension between family needs and your desire to make your own decisions. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

At each turn, a heartbreaking picture comes into sharper focus, underscoring Ricki’s destructive appetite that exploits Rita’s deepest needs and fears under the guise of friendship and no-judgement sisterhood. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Pennsylvania ranked 26th nationwide for the salary a single adult needs to live comfortably, placing it near the middle of the pack. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Crucially, professionals must actively listen to uncover underlying needs, use storytelling to clarify concepts, and adapt their message in real-time. — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026