1
as in to require
to have as a requirement
a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in lack
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
when it came time to wrap the presents, he found he was in need of adhesive tape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
got a job that barely provided for his basic needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obligation
something one must do because of prior agreement
no need to apologize
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
donating money to help those in need
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 need
Brayden Garcia
january 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
This is to some extent a consequence of how quickly the government had to act in the face of that emergency, a catch-22 between ensuring that the money would be going to actually help people who needed it and having to get billions out the door at lightning-speed.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
The last two drafts are starting to come together, specifically the 2023 group, to form a foundation that can keep the need for relying on the unstable free-agent market to a slightly lower level.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for need
Verb
Rodeo tickets Tickets are needed for each rodeo event at Dickies Arena and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
—Noun
Meeting vitamin D needs often requires a combination of diet, safe sun exposure, and supplementation when necessary.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for need
Verb
-
If a development project met certain standards set by the state, local officials would be required to approve it.—
-
The length of cold required to break dormancy in any particular tree species depends on both the length of typical winter and the variability of winter temperature patterns where a species evolved.—
Verb
-
The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.—
Noun
-
Dead drummer Mickey Hart said at one point legendary concert promoter Bill Graham vented to him about the lack of catchy songs.—
-
The first indicator is oftentimes a lack of water flow from faucets when the weather is extremely cold.—
Noun
-
Both are qualified to meet FAA surveillance requirements through prior test-site certification activities.—
-
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
-
Dozens of Tarrant County College faculty members have been ordered to pay back portions of their salaries, with college administrators saying the teachers did not meet their contractual obligations.—
-
These stores would operate without rent or property tax obligations and aim to sell at wholesale prices, passing on savings to customers.—
Noun
-
The funding went toward three federal programs, two of which focus on lifting families with children out of poverty.—
-
As a group, Native Americans face high rates of poverty, chronic disease, and mental illness — all are risk factors for addiction.—
Verb
-
If that is what Talamasca wants to be, well, what a blessing!—
-
The key to this classic is making sure cook off all the liquid in the summer squash, because no one wants a watery casserole.—
Noun
-
Like the vast, uncaring jungle in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the Tyranids are an irresistible force that seeks to surround and destroy humanity through the weight of pure biological necessity.—
-
But as watches shifted from necessities to collectibles, history became a focal point—providing bragging rights, narrative, and value marker.—
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/need. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share