as in necessities
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
hiking boots are a must-have for this trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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-haves
Our must-haves for the season can be found, below.
—
Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025
As far as fall must-haves go, consider picking up this insulated Yeti tumbler that keeps tea and coffee piping hot for hours, then add the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven to your cart to make your favorite seasonal soups this fall.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Here are their vacation must-haves alongside tips for using the Visa Infinite card to unlock room upgrades, dining perks and exclusive access.
—Visa Infinite Asia Pacific, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Each week will spotlight different product categories, ranging from furniture and kitchen essentials to seasonal decor and organizational must-haves.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
While a compact carry-on and durable oversized suitcase are must-haves in any luggage arsenal, the importance of a travel backpack shouldn’t be overlooked.
—Rachel Trujillo, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Dawn detailed all sorts of functional fashion staples like layers, bags, boots, and more must-haves for the season, plus textures to experiment with for some fun flair.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
One of her absolute must-haves is another playful dog friend in the home.
—Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
Fashion trends are known to come full circle—just like how Gen Z’s Y2K aesthetic modernized the early 2000s’ style must-haves.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 6 Aug. 2025
Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025
As far as fall must-haves go, consider picking up this insulated Yeti tumbler that keeps tea and coffee piping hot for hours, then add the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven to your cart to make your favorite seasonal soups this fall.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Here are their vacation must-haves alongside tips for using the Visa Infinite card to unlock room upgrades, dining perks and exclusive access.
—Visa Infinite Asia Pacific, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Each week will spotlight different product categories, ranging from furniture and kitchen essentials to seasonal decor and organizational must-haves.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
While a compact carry-on and durable oversized suitcase are must-haves in any luggage arsenal, the importance of a travel backpack shouldn’t be overlooked.
—Rachel Trujillo, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Dawn detailed all sorts of functional fashion staples like layers, bags, boots, and more must-haves for the season, plus textures to experiment with for some fun flair.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
One of her absolute must-haves is another playful dog friend in the home.
—Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
Fashion trends are known to come full circle—just like how Gen Z’s Y2K aesthetic modernized the early 2000s’ style must-haves.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for must-haves
Noun
-
The interior is open and spacious, able to hold all of your necessities, and comes in four colors.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The hidden gem is packed with steep deals on cool-weather necessities at shockingly reasonable prices.—
Jamie Fischer,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Products like organic soap sprays and organic horticultural oil control smaller pests, while tree guards, netting, and fruit protection bags are musts for deterring birds and large critters such as groundhogs or raccoons, or deer that may damage the tree bark.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Be sure to stop by DeLuca’s Pizza and SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint, which are musts after working up an appetite hiking the trails and boating the waterways.—
Caroline Rogers,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Then, in January 2025, the government introduced a Social Media Bill that placed further requirements on social media platforms.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Over the years, the government's reporting requirements have changed, which makes historical comparisons a little tricky.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Must-haves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/must-haves. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share