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need

[need] / nid /






Usage

What are other ways to say need? The verb need often suggests urgency, stressing the necessity of supplying what is lacking: to need an operation, better food, a match to light the fire. Require, which expresses necessity as strongly as need, occurs most frequently in serious or formal contexts: Your presence at the hearing is required. Successful experimentation requires careful attention to detail. Lack means to be without or to have less than a desirable quantity of something: to lack courage, sufficient money, enough members to make a quorum. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ewan: Need someone who has experience of Scottish football and international football - could we consider Roberto Martinez if he leaves Portugal?

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

The book includes information beyond what one would find in Donald S. Passman’s longstanding industry bible “All You Need to Know About the Music Business.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

You can sign up here to have Need to Know waiting in your inbox each morning, with commentary and actionable ideas from professional money managers and traders.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 18, 2026

Appeared in the June 5, 2026, print edition as 'Chatbots May Need a Cult Deprogrammer'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

“You’re set. Need anything before I hit the road?”

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott




Vocabulary lists containing need


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