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

International expansion needs to produce real economics rather than an impressive location count. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Law enforcement needs effective tools to stop people who organize and plan acts of violence. — Eric "doc" Stelnicki, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Oil needs to be refined into products and fuels people can use, including asphalt, plastic, heating oil, jet fuel, diesel and gasoline. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

The promotional push needs to happen earlier in the year, when retailers and brands need deals to create demand. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 July 2026

Instead of a complex engine, there's an electric motor with a single moving part that rarely, if ever, needs to be replaced. — Camila Domonoske, NPR, 13 July 2026

Rosier outlook But the outlook for the second quarter earnings season is more promising, and could be the catalyst the stock market needs to resume its rally, which has stalled since early June, according to Emanuel. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 13 July 2026

In total, a problem that would take 16 single-digit multiplications the traditional way now needs only nine. — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 13 July 2026

Beyond that group, almost no one reading this needs a scan tomorrow. — Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Noun

The Sun in your 7th House of Relationships opposes Pluto in your sign, intensifying the push-pull between your needs and someone else’s expectations. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026

The Police Department also works with business partners, including private security companies, to address safety needs, according to Smith. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026

Highlighting the city's rapid development, Holland urged the council during the July 14 meeting to plan for future staffing needs across the police, fire, water and sewer, streets, and parks departments to keep pace with community growth. — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 July 2026

These crises cross ideological lines, and (to paraphrase the mayor) for far too long, New York leaders left, right, and center have rejected the solutions New York needs. — Ryder Kessler, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026

Like most institutions of higher education, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are facing an unsettled federal funding environment, persistent infrastructure needs, and changing enrollment patterns. — Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Diagnosed with Alzheimer's, severe dementia with agitation, depression, and anxiety, the woman was confused, had difficulty communicating her needs, and hit aides. — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026

Built into the contracts with Google and Anthropic is a 90-day cancellation provision that gives SpaceX the ability to reclaim its compute if Grok’s needs suddenly increase. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Our goal is earlier identification of needs, stronger prevention efforts and enhancements to our continuous quality improvement processes. — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026