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
After winning a landslide victory earlier this year that put her Liberal Democratic Party in the driver’s seat, Takaichi now needs to deliver on the fundamental, kitchen-table issues facing the Japanese economy. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 16 Mar. 2026 Around the world, spas are often physically inaccessible, retreats off-limits by design, and practitioners limited in their ability and training to see disabled bodies as deserving of the restoration everyone so desperately needs. Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026 This rare combination of artistic talent and analytical discipline positions her not only as a creative force, but as a future innovator in an industry that needs forward thinking leaders. Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026 With that in mind, protein needs increase around the age of 40 to 50. Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026 Sometimes all a documentary needs to leave a lasting impression is a force-of-nature protagonist at its center. Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026 The habitat needs at least one source of clean water for wildlife to drink and bathe. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026 Your body, your brain needs that. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2026 For Blackburn’s plan to work, the Tennis Channel needs to turn Indian Wells and the Miami Open into appointment viewing for a larger group of people. Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
But not all airlines hedge, and those that do are usually only protected for a portion of their fuel needs, meaning prolonged price surges may cause more carriers to raise fares. Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026 With Luna gliding into your ever-practical 6th house, you may be tempted to ignore your inner needs in favor of getting as much done as possible. Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026 But not all airlines hedge, and those that do are usually only protected for a portion of their fuel needs, meaning prolonged price surges may cause more carriers to raise fares. Rio Yamat, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026 As always, check the product label for specifics on temperature ranges, as different products and different species of plants all have different needs. Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 14 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 This year, any attempt to raise money for local needs will almost certainly go down in flames, thanks to the irresponsible war that powerful Tallahassee interests have launched on Florida’s local governments. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026 With recipes like these in the mix, consider your spring side dish needs officially sorted. Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Mar. 2026 For months, Temple Beth Or searched for a south Dade temple that could fit their needs. Lauren Costantino march 14, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needs
Adverb
  • None of the above necessarily triggers a global recession or a devastating financial crisis.
    Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Taking back her power while also recognizing no amount of it or money will necessarily keep herself/her family safe.
    Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The new law also requires some Medi-Cal enrollees (working-age adults without kids) to have their eligibility redetermined every six months instead of every year.
    Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Miss Manners therefore requires turning one’s back — while also showing one’s profile and expressing thanks and apologies for stepping on toes and purse straps.
    Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • If a teammate pushes for an answer, share your requirements and propose a reasonable timeframe that respects both schedules.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The Florida requirements would take effect next year.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The inputs are shrinking, and the obligations are not.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Following the game, Adebayo needed to fulfill media obligations after his historic night.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • The blaster does include the darts, which will inevitably be quickly strewn around your house.
    Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 14 Mar. 2026
  • In each show, the two nitwits would set out on some caper, which would inevitably go horribly wrong, leaving them broke, or tied up, or in jail, or hanging over a cliff, or some other situation of great peril.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • That’s the version of himself Arenas wants to recapture.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
  • In the Afrikaans world of my childhood, dancing often meant the stolid vastrap (tight-step), the terrible langarm (long-arm, a two-step that desperately wants to be a one-step), or, worst of all, volkspele (national or popular games), compulsory in Afrikaans-medium state-run schools.
    Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • On the restricted side of the budget, where funds are spent on necessities that are restricted to specific expenses, revenues are $33 million while expenses are $35 million, Long said.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
  • About a quarter of Americans today live paycheck to paycheck, spending more than 95% of their income on necessities.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 9 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needs. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

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