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

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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
Working and not getting paid and gas prices are extremely high -- like everybody needs their money. Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026 But not every great season needs a trophy to back it up. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026 Or the beginning farmer paying land rental rates that spiked with the Ukraine war and who needs a few thousand gallons of diesel to get his crop in the ground in the next six weeks. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026 The chemistry between the cast needs time to settle, and the reaction on TikTok and Instagram will likely inform which sketches have legs (the Head Wound Harrys and David S Pumpkins, so to speak), and which end up in the writers’ room bin. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026 Since theater owners get to keep about half of ticket sales, Amazon MGM needs the movie to stick around beyond its debut to justify the price tag. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 22 Mar. 2026 The stress response activates when situations such as looming deadlines, financial worries or dangerous encounters signal the body needs to react. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026 All of the specialized schools in their home state of Virginia had deemed their son Ethan’s needs too severe to manage. Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026 Working and not getting paid and gas prices are extremely high — like everybody needs their money. CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Nexstar-Tegna merger will accelerate exactly that trend, concentrating broadcast power in fewer corporate hands, shrinking independent editorial voices and prioritizing national business interests over local needs. Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026 Its extensive menu ranges from advanced biohacking and LED therapy to DNA testing aimed at identifying hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and nutritional needs, as well as bespoke sleep programming. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026 Hydration needs vary widely depending on body size, activity level and climate, Santas said. Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026 Yet our health care system has not kept pace with our needs. Teanika D. Hoffman, Baltimore Sun, 21 Mar. 2026 Failure to fully fund the Florida Forever program will represent a failure to respect the needs and wishes of Floridians. Joe Murphy, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026 Working with matchmakers met both their needs, Willis said. Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026 Cuban Americans who spoke at the event said those who fled the regime understand the true needs of people still living on the island. Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026 Under the program, funded with the remaining dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act, each supervisor was allocated $1 million to support projects that address their district’s needs. Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needs
Adverb
  • Some philosophical discussions are lost but some necessarily disturbing physical moments are kept.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The biography’s brevity is necessarily limiting.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This typically requires a lot of cooling gear, and space is at a premium on aircraft.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The lifeguard position in Aurora pays $17 per hour and requires a flexible schedule.
    Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • The lawsuit says that HHS' declaration seeks to coerce providers to stop providing gender-affirming care and circumvent legal requirements for policy changes.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Democrats contend that the legislation will disenfranchise many of their voters because of its strict requirements for proving one’s identity and citizenship.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Without a fresh infusion of cash, the Highway Trust Fund will be unable to meet its obligations within the decade.
    Louis Sigaud, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Other obligations, like unpaid child support, may also result in account restrictions or seizures through court or administrative orders.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • Even if one accepts that perfectly reasonable people are happy to live in a bubble with strangers for months in hopes of achieving love, fame or a cash prize, someone inevitably is cast to bring the crazy, er, conversation-sparking personality.
    Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Originally opened in 1931 as Bellevue Hospital’s psychiatric ward, the 30th Street Men’s Shelter—inevitably still referred to as Bellevue—became an anchor of New York’s shelter system.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The union claimed that the company wants to eliminate more than 100 jobs, cut salaries, and install AI surveillance systems.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • September 23 – October 22 Libra, balance wants action more than perfection.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Even as a successful homebuilder and entrepreneur, the 35-year-old says his income barely covers the necessities for his growing household.
    Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
  • As consumers pay more to cover necessities like gas, many households — particularly those that are middle or low income — will be forced to cut their budgets in other places, explains Francesco D’Acunto, a finance professor at Georgetown University.
    Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needs. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.

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