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

Relevance

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
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 But Fort Worth needs no premise to eat beef. Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025 His project needs just 52 parking spaces, which have already been secured. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025 To take advantage of better times, Beggs argued Lionsgate TV needs to take disciplined bets on new series, like the first-look deal the studio signed with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Point Grey Pictures. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025 Each division needs 3 to 5 buds to support new growth. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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 Alfons Freij is a mobile defenceman with enough puck skill to impress, but whose decision-making needs improvement before being considered an NHL player. Murat Ates, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 Involve end users in the process to ensure tools meet real communication needs. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 How does all that work in tandem with the 'gameplay needs' of a project that is prioritizing fun? Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025 But in recent years, her community’s needs have dramatically increased. Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025 There have been increases in what schools can offer children, but, in general, needs are much larger than available help. Alan J. Borsuk, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Maita responded by putting his team’s needs first. Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 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
  • However, there is another Arsenal top boss at the top of the Uranus tower in the Forest region that requires a special route to get to it.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • This recipe, which requires just 15 minutes of hands-on time, brings the vibrant flavors of taco soup to life in one delicious recipe.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Congress had enacted byzantine eligibility requirements for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits, forcing the agency to expend huge amounts of time and money running those programs.
    Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Then there’s Reform California, DeMaio’s group, which is preparing to mail out 250,000 petitions for a ballot measure to tighten voter ID requirements in the state.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For applicants, this begins with ensuring current compliance by filing all required returns, paying any outstanding liabilities, and meeting foreign asset and accounts information reporting obligations.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But a district court issued injunctions requiring his administration to meet certain financial obligations related to foreign aid.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Anything that went awry in the area seemed to inevitably lead to suspicion that Phillips might be involved.
    Todd Symons, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
  • These are the Browns, which means more excruciating losses are inevitably incoming.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 8 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 14 Sep. 2025.

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