needs 1 of 3

Definition of needsnext
as in necessarily
because of necessity the dangers of global warming must needs be recognized—and recognized soon—by the industrialized nations of the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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needs

2 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of need
1
2
as in must
to be under necessity or obligation to you need not stand when she enters the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

needs

3 of 3

noun

plural of need

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 needs
Verb
Fu also stressed that more work needs to be done to boost domestic demand, urging businesses to improve their offerings to attract consumers. Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 18 May 2026 September 23 – October 22 A bigger perspective needs a practical container today. Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026 As such, a loving relationship will demand awareness that, sometimes, not every truth needs to be delivered in its rawest form. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026 That distinction – between the professional who makes films and the person who needs them – sits at the heart of his 32-minute Cannes official selection short, which mk2 films is handling for world sales. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 May 2026 Garrett needs Hannah's help as a tutor and Hannah needs a fake suitor to catch the attention of her crush, Justin Kohl (Josh Heuston). Jennifer McClellan, USA Today, 17 May 2026 Measles is so virulent that at least 95% of a community needs to be vaccinated with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to avoid its spread, according to the World Health Organization. Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 17 May 2026 Who needs pretty when the food tastes this good? Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026 The doctor starts with a panchakarma meditation session to determine what treatments your body needs. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
Noun
Mental-health support is often discussed in broad terms, but meaningful progress happens when care is local, comprehensive and responsive to the unique needs of individuals and families. Maria Bledsoe, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2026 Arrests and citations do nothing to address these needs. Shianne Leclaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026 From fruit trees to saunas to Parmesan wheels, the warehouse retailer has most of our needs and wants covered. Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026 Officers have also said in Board of Correction meetings that our city should divert people with serious mental health needs into appropriate treatment, rather than relying on them to fill in for shameful gaps in our public health system. Jason Rodriguez, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026 Previous statutes mandated a rigid pipeline, automatically routing children into adult court for specific charges without regard for their individual humanity or developmental needs. Natasha Dartigue, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026 So forcing our customers into one standard might not always meet their needs. Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026 Often, everyone is trying their best but finding that there are simply too many competing and seemingly conflicting needs. R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026 Soaring costs for veterinary care and animal food, combined with plummeting donations during economic hardship, have left sanctuaries across the region struggling to meet basic animal welfare needs. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needs
Adverb
  • Unlike other Western leaders—and the foreign-policy establishment in Washington—Sánchez sees China in more pragmatic terms rather than as necessarily a strategic rival.
    Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
  • Seeing a fawn alone doesn't necessarily mean it's abandoned; the mother is likely nearby and observing.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Addressing long-term encampments requires consistent outreach, mental health care, sanitation access, and pathways to stable housing.
    Shianne LeClaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
  • Traditionally, maintaining vigilance in places like the South China Sea requires constant Naval patrols, which are expensive.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • The block party is free, but people who want to attend must RSVP.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • That would align with typical age requirements for online sports betting, but prediction markets currently allow users starting at 18 years old to trade on their platforms.
    Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 15 May 2026
  • Perhaps that was due to his wife, Karen, who had a very specific list of requirements for buying a business.
    Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Guests with work obligations, caregiving responsibilities or health considerations may not be able to fully disconnect, and most properties offer at least limited emergency communication options.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 May 2026
  • The Beatles only made three more films, largely to satisfy contractual obligations.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2026
Adverb
  • Teams often visit with players for further interviews, which inevitably get covered in the football media.
    Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Once the dust settles, both Lively and Baldoni will be tasked with rehabilitating their reputations, and attention will inevitably turn to the next high-profile celebrity case.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • The bigger picture The launch is a meaningful bet on what Yahoo Finance’s 30-year audience actually wants.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 May 2026
  • Still, the launcher configuration suggests the company wants Comet to engage both surface and aerial threats during independent operations.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • The rising cost of fuel and groceries has trimmed their choices to the necessities.
    Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 13 May 2026
  • For many years, the worst problems were largely confined to very low-income families, roughly 50% of whom pay more than half of their incomes in rent, leaving little for food and other necessities.
    Michael Schill, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needs. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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