must-have 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of must-havenext
as in essential
impossible to do without aprons are must-have accessories for the cooking class

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

must-have

2 of 2

noun

ˈməst-ˌhav How to pronounce must-have (audio)
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable hiking boots are a must-have for this trip

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 must-have
Noun
The Luc Belaire Global Brand Ambassador, 50, spoke to PEOPLE about his backstage must-haves on his current Port of Miami 20th Anniversary tour. — Emily Rella, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 For those who expect to take their 420 Sport on track, the Dynamic Handling Package seems like a must-have option. — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 July 2026 Enamelware is also a must-have, particularly for outdoor hosting—Golden Rabbit’s enamelware is durable and easily stackable, and the bright, speckled designs add so much personality to any table. — Alexandra Ditch, Vogue, 20 July 2026 Speaking of must-have manicure picks, McRae used this Strong Start Base Coat to prepare for her sleek Grammys nail look. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for must-have
Recent Examples of Synonyms for must-have
  1. essential
  2. must
  3. necessary
  4. requirement
  5. integral
  6. necessity
  7. required
  8. needed
Adjective
  • Every season seems to bring another silhouette deemed essential — and if your closet doesn’t already contain it, well, time to go shopping.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 31 July 2026
  • Nvidia’s chips are essential to AI data centers, pushing its business to stratospheric heights.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of essential
Noun
  • Situational awareness, safety assessments, and safety planning are a must in order for FWC to continue its mission.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • Versatile Sneakers No matter where you’re headed, a versatile pair of sneakers is a must.
    — Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2026
Definition of must
Adjective
  • Debt for any company can be necessary and useful if balanced by the ability to pay the debt service.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
  • If a judge found that Mora broke his agreement with the company, then a jury trial on the other issues of fraudulent misrepresentation, unfair business practices and breach of fiduciary duty may not be necessary, Mora said.
    — Robert Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of necessary
Noun
  • Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn will move to propose measures related to waiving Boston Police Department residency requirements and allowing retired officers to take shifts as the department faces ongoing staffing challenges.
    — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 27 July 2026
  • Missouri would become the first state in the nation with such a concurrent-majority requirement.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Definition of requirement
Adjective
  • The researchers also developed control systems combining model predictive control and proportional-integral-derivative control to steer and stabilize the robot.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
  • Hugging Face said its own AI had been integral to detecting and investigating the breach.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 22 July 2026
Definition of integral
Noun
  • When families struggle to afford everyday necessities, economic statistics become less meaningful than their lived experience.
    — Hank Cardello, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • The eccentric aunt aesthetic turns that necessity into a style statement.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Definition of necessity
Adjective
  • Students can reach the end of an assignment, having answered all the questions or produced all the required work, without knowing whether their minds traveled the necessary distance for learning to have actually occurred.
    — Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • According to a July 3 letter obtained by The Sacramento Bee, the city still needed to complete required rezoning, adopt the housing element and submit both to HCD before the department could certify the plan.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • Thanks to soccer, often called the world’s beautiful game, many found a needed distraction.
    — Alfredo Corchado, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Add mulch to flower beds as the rain lets up for the season, so it won’t get washed away and will still retain needed moisture.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 July 2026
Definition of needed

Browse Nearby Words

musters out
must-have
must-haves
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Cite this Entry

“Must-have.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/must-have. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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