required 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈkwī(-ə)rd How to pronounce required (audio)
Definition of requirednext
1
as in mandatory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law formal instruction in driving is required in this state before you can get your driver's license

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2
as in necessary
impossible to do without with these frigid winds, hats, scarves, and good mittens are required equipment for heading outside

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

required

2 of 2

verb

past tense of require
as in needed
to have as a requirement the toy requires four batteries, which are not included

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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 required
Adjective
Auriga can, for example, alter launch velocity depending on the mass of the projectile, the required range and the type of target being engaged. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026 The court declined to hear the application on technical grounds, asking authorities to complete the required paperwork. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
The consortium will also establish a development roadmap covering the steps required to move from the present conceptual phase toward possible construction and deployment. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 This role required her not only to be an exceptional astronomer but also to understand the political landscape both within and surrounding NASA. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for required
Recent Examples of Synonyms for required
  1. mandatory
  2. necessary
  3. needed
  4. compulsory
  5. essential
  6. wanted
  7. incumbent
  8. integral
Adjective
  • The fallout of this fraud included several new state-level fiscal accountability reforms for all New York school districts, including stricter internal controls, mandatory board oversight and independent auditor requirements.
    — Kathryn Blackman, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Due to the business’s small, quaint space, reservations are mandatory.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of mandatory
Adjective
  • Addressing workers at the company’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume warned Tuesday that eliminating tens of thousands of jobs could be necessary to remain competitive.
    — Maegan Vazquez, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The equipment in the classroom is also outdated and no longer reaches performance capabilities necessary for modern digital art, web design and 2D and 3D imaging, officials said.
    — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of necessary
Verb
  • Libra September 23 – October 22 Quiet may be just what is needed for a creative idea to flourish.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The retrofit is needed primarily because many of the 499 piles that hold up the piers have micro-cracks.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of needed
Adjective
  • Even though public schooling became compulsory in 1896, the language barrier and the remote location of many plantations led to gaps in access to these laborers’ formal education.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 21 Aug. 2026
  • That set off both margin calls and compulsory sales at the fund.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • Those plans must cover essential health benefits, such as prescription drugs and mental health coverage.
    — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Using the 50/30/20 budgeting rule, SmartAsset assumed these essential costs make up 50% of your budget.
    — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of essential
Verb
  • If Congress wanted the president to retain Section 338 power, Albrecht asks, why did lawmakers pass the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allowed for national security tariffs?
    — Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The one person who never wanted to be seen with Dolly in public, astonishingly, was her husband of 59 years and childhood sweetheart, Carl Dean.
    — Tania Bryer, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of wanted
Adjective
  • In Asia-Pacific, where DeepMind opened a new research lab in Singapore last November, domestic players including ByteDance, Sakana AI and Sarvam AI are building share in markets the incumbent labs historically underinvested in.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Short dramas are unlikely to push out incumbent entertainment formats, according to Sensor Tower’s Shah.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of incumbent
Adjective
  • Her weight and notable appetite are integral to the musical number.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The arrival of the transistor began the era of electronics that has become an integral part of our daily lives.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of integral

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Cite this Entry

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

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