NEEDS Synonyms: 131 Similar and Opposite Words

needs 1 of 3

adverb

ˈnēdz

Definition of needs

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

Relevance

needs

2 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of need

as in requires

to have as a requirement a national crisis that needs a strong leader to solve it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in requirements

something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable got a job that barely provided for his basic needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obligations

something one must do because of prior agreement no need to apologize

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 needs

Verb

Not every productive moment needs an audience, a grand entrance, or your name in lights. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026 For example, experts might put a lot of effort into listening to community needs to demonstrate integrity and openness, but miss opportunities to communicate the underlying benevolent motivations driving their work. — John C. Besley, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 Potassium is a mineral your body needs for proper heart and muscle function. — Zia Sherrell, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026 That, after all, is the sign of team who needs to consistently churn the bottom of their roster in order to find gems. — Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 Government backing will strengthen the defense industry Deterrence requires stable and sustainable defense equipment production, so Japan needs to reduce risks of shortages caused by suppliers withdrawing, officials said. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 The sexy older chick for Tom in this film needs to be Nicole. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 Taurus April 20 – May 20 A quieter part of you may know exactly what home needs next. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 By August 25, the district attorney must decide whether to seek to vacate Myers’ conviction or if the story needs to be heard by a jury again. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Noun

Rocket Mortgage is more flexible than many competitors and may suit unique needs better. — Dan Simms, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 Philanthropy takes center stage Organizers vowed to work with nonprofit partners to put the grants toward their most urgent and underresourced needs. — James Pollard, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 Crucially, professionals must actively listen to uncover underlying needs, use storytelling to clarify concepts, and adapt their message in real-time. — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Errands, chores, or work needs may bump against your desire for ease, beauty, or personal space. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026 His newsrooms, including the Kathmandu Post, have deployed all their assets to cover the tragedy, and to provide Nepalis with clear, accurate information on emergency relief, river monitoring, and other immediate needs. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 The various configurations allow the property to accommodate a range of needs, budgets, and even levels of privacy, making the experience that much more customizable. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026 Donnelson hopes to raise more than the $1,500 minimum, with money going toward needs such as roof repairs and tree removal for residents without the resources to pay for the work themselves. — Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 Providing mental health support can be effective in helping students get their needs addressed, said DePaoli. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for needs

Adverb

Others necessarily mean somebody’s job, project, contract or spending disappearing.

— Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
The real test for humanoid robots’ capabilities will necessarily take place in the real world beyond the demonstrations at the World Humanoid Robot Games.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of necessarily

Verb

The Broadway production takes that same approach and translates it thrillingly to the stage through an entirely original ghost story that requires no knowledge of anything that’s come before it.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Following a 1990 accident that fractured his spine, Billesdon lives with a paralyzed colon and bladder that requires workplace accommodations and causes severe side effects from medication.

— Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of requires

Noun

Process control, workplace conditions, customer requirements and long-term competitiveness are already pushing the industry in the same direction.

— Alice Tonello, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
Most students received milder penalties — warnings, probation or requirements to attend counseling or workshops, which together made up 93% of sanctions.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of requirements

Noun

In March, the department sent a letter to state superintendents about compliance obligations under FERPA.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
The school board directed the Superintendent to determine what the district’s financial obligations would be if a Schools of Hope charter occupied a closed school.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of obligations

Adverb

Opponents say the current setup is just right and that Iceland already enjoys all the benefits of European integration without the sovereignty compromises that inevitably will come from being a full member.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Efforts to protect them will inevitably spill into censorship of all users — now on the orders of the government.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of inevitably

Verb

The acquisition’s financing depends on savings that the protections everyone wants would prohibit.

— Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Garden Homes wants to build at 30 Parade Hill Road, a small property a little less than a mile north of the town’s commercial center and a bit more than a mile south of the New Canaan Country Club.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of wants

Verb

Evans willed his way to an even brawl before Dominik Mysterio interfered with a cheapshot.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Since his siblings were crying with the same mournful expression, clinging to their father’s corpse, Shoichiro willed himself to cry too, and the tears came immediately.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of will

Browse Nearby Words

needling

needs

needy

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of needs

adverb

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

Popular in Wordplay

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

Popular

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

Games & Quizzes