NECESSITY Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

necessity

noun

ni-ˈse-sə-tē

Definition of necessity

as in requirement

something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable on any road trip, accurate maps are a necessity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 But several of the House members said the agency and others providing bus service need to make sure that there is enough parking, shade, water and other necessities so that customers are willing to ditch their cars. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 In 2026, a single person in Hawaii needs to earn about $129,002 a year to cover necessities, spend on some extras, save for the future and pay taxes. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 That’s because most teachers have to pay for supplies, decor, and other classroom necessities out of their own pocket. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 The campaign also raises money to support Baby2Baby’s work distributing diapers, clothing, formula, and other necessities to children in need across the country. — Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for necessity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessity

Noun

Some have no down payment requirements, most have below-average interest rates and many come with lower closing costs and monthly payments, thanks to no PMI requirements.

— Dan Simms, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
This allows individuals to evaluate the organization's mission, team dynamics, and actual time requirements.

— Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of requirement

Noun

He was born in abject poverty in rural Georgia, Pin Point, Georgia.

— NBC news, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
Corruption was endemic, and the country’s deeper troubles—its poverty, its social inequities, and the hopeless conditions that drive millions of Nepalis to emigrate for work—endured, laying the kindling for last year’s explosion.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of poverty

Noun

Seafood is the star of the show here—especially the shrimp and grits and crab cakes, which Bernthal says are a must-order.

— Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
Downtown shopping is a must, Southern Living says, with a local bookstore and village shop.

— Eva Flowe August 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of must

Noun

But Moores would express misery in recalling ballpark-construction hassles and MLB politics that frustrated his advocacy of small-market clubs and game-day affordability.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
This summer’s misery has been driven less by scorching afternoons than by record-warm nights and Miami-level humidity, according to scientist Daniel Swain.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of misery

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necessitous

necessity

neck

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Style

“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necessity. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of necessity

noun

Example Sentences

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