Synonyms of sine qua non

sine qua non

noun

ˌsi-ni-ˌkwä-ˈnän 

as in must

something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable

an extensive grounding in mathematics is a sine qua non for a career in architecture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• must
• requirement
• necessity
• necessary
• need
• essential
• must-have
• demand
• requisite
• needful
• condition
• advantage
• prerequisite
• plus
• precondition
• wish
• desideration
• edge
• desideratum

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• surplus
• extra
• nonnecessity
• luxury
• comfort
• indulgence
• extravagance
• nonessential
• surplusage
• superfluity
• frill
• amenity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sine qua non

The image of Toyotas and Datsuns — soon rebranded as Nissans — went from quirky to sine qua non. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

The singing actors in opera do well to use that tool kit, too—but their sine qua non is the voice. — Matthew Gurewitsch, Air Mail, 21 Feb. 2026

While not denying the parallels between Muggle and magical technologies, Oakes’s conclusions depend on ignoring magical people’s complete dependence on a wand—the indisputable sine qua non of reliable spellwork. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2025

For those in Mnangagwa’s Lacoste faction, direct experience in the liberation war is a sine qua non for any successor candidate. — Philip Martin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Nov. 2017