Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

must

[muhst] / mʌst /
NOUN
necessity, essential
Synonyms
STRONGEST
precondition prerequisite requisite
STRONG
charge commitment committal condition devoir duty fundamental imperative must-have necessary need obligation requirement right
WEAK
ought sine qua non
VERB
ought, should
Synonyms
STRONG
have need
WEAK
be compelled be destined be directed be doomed be driven be made be necessitated be obliged be one's fate be ordered be required got to have got to have no choice have to must needs pushed to the wall

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.

All the district unions are listed because the board must discuss potential actions its several non-striking unions are likely to take on Tuesday: Will they honor picket lines?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

So, Dump Fruit must remain Dump Fruit, as unfortunate a name as it is.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

We must continue to pray for our success and the safety of our troops.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

"Additionally, San Francisco Bay is a highly trafficked waterway, and the Golden Gate Strait serves as a bottleneck through which all traffic and whales must enter and exit."

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

Dear reader, I must tell you about the most haunting sound in the forest.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman