1
as in requirement
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
on any road trip, accurate maps are a necessity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
two years of unemployment had reduced the family to abject necessity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of necessity
Many regions continue to experience changes in how wealth is distributed across different income groups, as gleaming high-rises across several major cities often overshadow communities where basic necessities remain out of reach.
—
Nia Bowers, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Each car represents a statement of identity, reserved for those who view driving as an experience, not a necessity.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
That's a necessity to work on a government project.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
Some will move out of conviction, others out of political necessity.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessity
Noun
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Both are qualified to meet FAA surveillance requirements through prior test-site certification activities.—
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AHPs were once far more accessible, but that changed with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which required many AHPs to comply with coverage requirements that drove up AHPs’ costs.—
Noun
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The funding went toward three federal programs, two of which focus on lifting families with children out of poverty.—
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As a group, Native Americans face high rates of poverty, chronic disease, and mental illness — all are risk factors for addiction.—
Noun
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The best-selling Jemluse Wireless CarPlay Adapter, now 50 percent off, is a must for hands-free convenience in the car.—
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Gallery Wall Wood Frame Set If your resolution includes finally framing photos that have been hiding in your phone for months, this set is a must.—
Noun
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Others though, like benzodiazepines, have wildly missed the mark, causing decades of unintended consequences and human misery.—
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Instead of getting used to the smells, her misery intensified with each passing day.—
Cite this Entry
“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessity. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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