required

1 of 2

adjective

re·​quired ri-ˈkwī(-ə)rd How to pronounce required (audio)
Synonyms of required
: stipulated as necessary to be done, made, or provided
required reading
required monthly payments
submit the required proof of identification
Uninsured motorists insurance is a required coverage in several states (and strongly encouraged in others) in all auto policies.—Robert I. Mehr

required

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of require

Synonyms of required

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of required in a Sentence

Adjective formal instruction in driving is required in this state before you can get your driver's license with these frigid winds, hats, scarves, and good mittens are required equipment for heading outside
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Your school will apply the funds toward required costs like tuition and fees before sending any remaining amount to you. — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 There is the common practice, for instance, whereby some minor character is briefly seconded to a protagonist’s service, only to be dispensed with again once the required payload of information has been delivered. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026 The economics behind that shift are already influencing how some large companies deploy AI, with businesses becoming increasingly selective in matching individual tasks to models based on cost and required performance. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 The school list covers required supplies, while the wish list includes the specific brands or versions kids want after seeing them online. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for required

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1540, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of required was in 1540

Phrases Containing required

Rhymes for required

See All Rhymes for required

Browse Nearby Words

require
required
required reading
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Required.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/required. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All