necessarily

adverb

nec·​es·​sar·​i·​ly ˌne-sə-ˈser-ə-lē 

1

: of necessity : unavoidably

The audience was necessarily small.

This endeavor necessarily involves some risk.

2

: as a logical result or consequence

… a holocaust is a disaster, but a disaster is not necessarily a holocaust.

—Harry Shaw

Synonyms of necessarily

• inevitably

Examples of necessarily in a Sentence

the argument that the existence of the universe necessarily implies the existence of an all-powerful being responsible for creating it

Recent Examples on the Web

This doesn’t mean that any of these four are necessarily looking to leave their current school. —Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026

This also offers a biological explanation for why many people report that these medications make tasks feel more manageable and less overwhelming, without necessarily making concentration effortless. —New Atlas, 3 Jan. 2026

That principle necessarily encompasses the freedom to end one’s own life — and to seek medical help in doing so. —Dr. Jeffrey Singer, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026

The Crimson Tide were so clearly the inferior team – in talent, coaching, drive, toughness – that the 35-point loss wasn’t surprising, necessarily speaking. —Paul Myerberg, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing necessarily

• not necessarily

Rhymes for necessarily

• arbitrarily
• customarily
• militarily
• momentarily
• ordinarily
• secondarily
• temporarily
• voluntarily
• airily
• caroli
• merrily
• verily