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 If extra debt payments are causing late payments on utility bills, overdrafts or a reliance on credit for groceries and other necessities, the repayment pace may be too aggressive. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 The first two lines in each stanza are about the promise of the season, before giving way to its end, showing the necessity of what came before in order for the next season to begin. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 Working as a one-woman crew out of necessity creates a uniquely streamlined production process, freed from filmmaking constraints, so Loktev can focus on her subjects. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026 But co-productions have been a necessity for producers like him for quite some time. — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for necessity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for necessity

Noun

The system has been evaluated through military exercises and training events and has supported operational use in Ukraine, providing BLADE with real-world insight into evolving unmanned ground requirements, according to a press release.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
The new changes in the electoral law ease some requirements for candidates seeking office, eliminate the need for some financial documents and a mandatory medical certificate, and introduce electronic voter registration.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of requirement

Noun

Months of American and Israeli bombs have damaged the country’s industries and infrastructure, spiking unemployment and pushing more Iranians into poverty.

— Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
There’s less in neighborhoods with high poverty rates and more people of color.

— Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of poverty

Noun

No matter your skin type, hydration is a must, and Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30 is here to quench, replenish, and protect with broad-spectrum SPF 30.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
The breakfast buffet is a must to gain the energy to hike the trails through drenching spray later.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of must

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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 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of necessity

noun

Example Sentences

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