REQUIRED Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

required 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈkwī(-ə)rd

Definition of required

as in mandatory

forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law formal instruction in driving is required in this state before you can get your driver's license

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in necessary

impossible to do without with these frigid winds, hats, scarves, and good mittens are required equipment for heading outside

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

required

2 of 2

verb

past tense of require

as in needed

to have as a requirement the toy requires four batteries, which are not included

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 required

Adjective

Then came required state and federal taxes, so the prize shrank yet again to $864,126, lottery officials said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026 Prior to the first Certificate of Occupancy, the applicant will be required to obtain all required permits, approvals, and authorizations from the Florida Department of Transportation for improvements impacting Sunrise Boulevard. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

As a result of the alleged stabbing, Byles suffered an injury to her vertebral artery and required surgery after being taken to the hospital in critical condition. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2026 That’s about 30 years after it’s required by the federal government to finish the job. — Richard Day, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for required

Recent Examples of Synonyms for required

Adjective

In a country where enlistment is mandatory for most Jewish men and women, these exemptions have always angered the broader public.

— Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Other campaign issues include mandatory military service, which is particularly sensitive for religious Jewish parties and Haredi communities.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of mandatory

Adjective

The father and son are accused of recycling patients through their facilities to continue billing insurance companies, regardless of whether treatment was medically necessary or actually provided.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
That means no seasoning necessary, rust resistance, and easy cleanup.

— Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of necessary

Adjective

Those include whether the fast-growing ultra-Orthodox population should remain exempted from compulsory military service in a country where many families have seen their sons and daughters killed in three years of inconclusive wars.

— Cara Anna, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
About 330,000 young Israelis, many facing compulsory military service under the shadow of war, are eligible to vote for the first time.

— Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of compulsory

Adjective

Maintaining essential services for 90 days Maintaining essential services for 90 days requires more than backup generators or stockpiled supplies.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
If Amendment 3 passes, money for those essential services will be cut by billions per year.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of essential

Verb

When Roddenberry wanted a character who might draw younger viewers to Star Trek, the physical resemblance to the Monkees singer settled the matter.

— Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
Physicists have long wanted to peer inside these cores to see how trapped particles behave.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of wanted

Adjective

While campaigning Wednesday, Peltola called the story a distraction, according to Alaska Public Media, and the non-incumbent Sullivan did not respond to Alaska Public Media's requests for comment.

— Ashley Lopez, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Roger Marshall, the incumbent Republican senator, has backed Trump on almost all these policies.

— Emma Green, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of incumbent

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Style

“Required.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/required. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of required

adjective

verb

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