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
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 necessity
Influencer income that comes from brand deals or affiliate links relies on consumer spending on goods that are not necessities, which means this change in spending could affect their income.
—
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2025
While some require very few packing list adjustments like a luxe Nile cruise, more active endeavors will require planning ahead to reserve precious suitcase space for hiking apparel, beach gear, and other sporty necessities.
—Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2025
Duties include performing physician-level case review, determining medical necessity requests and serving as a subject matter expert.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
Even so, the reset look on the man who’s become the face of the NFL makes a fine symbol for a broader fresh start — a necessity in sharp contrast to where the Chiefs stood this time last offseason.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2025
While some require very few packing list adjustments like a luxe Nile cruise, more active endeavors will require planning ahead to reserve precious suitcase space for hiking apparel, beach gear, and other sporty necessities.
—Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2025
Duties include performing physician-level case review, determining medical necessity requests and serving as a subject matter expert.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
Even so, the reset look on the man who’s become the face of the NFL makes a fine symbol for a broader fresh start — a necessity in sharp contrast to where the Chiefs stood this time last offseason.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessity
Noun
-
While Hochul’s executive order bars the State Police from cooperating with immigration enforcement, the same isn’t true for the state’s myriad local cops, which have a patchwork of requirements; NYC has its own prohibitions but Rotterdam, clearly, does not.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2025
-
This would be Whitson’s second trip on an Axiom mission to the ISS, and part of NASA’s requirement that former NASA astronaut command commercial mission visits to the ISS.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
And that's particularly true for transgender folks, who already tend to face higher rates of discrimination, violence and poverty.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
But as repayments mount, the burden will strain developing economies and divert resources from priorities such as health care, education and poverty reduction, the Lowy Institute wrote.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
In these turbulent times learning how to manage disputes is a must.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
12 June 2025
-
Trader Joe's mini sheet cakes are a must for many shoppers.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
In a season full of misery and a historic number of losses, there was plenty of reason to celebrate Colorado’s first walk-off win.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
12 June 2025
-
Greta’s missed opportunity to understand the deep roots of this misery is another lesson lost to the world.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessity. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share