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.

There is a moment in soccer that must be felt.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

As it must, the relationship gets better as the series progresses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Walsh added that tackling these backlogs is important because they cost the government money as asylum seekers are not allowed to work and must rely on state support.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

For memory stocks to fetch higher valuation multiples, the companies need to maintain supply discipline and “demand must convert into durable economics” over the long run, he added.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

We agreed that Tante Jans must know at once.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

must

Example Sentences

Related Words