necessarily

[nes-uh-sair-uh-lee, -ser-] / ˌnɛs əˈsɛər ə li, -ˈsɛr- /

ADVERB

inevitably, certainly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

automatically naturally no doubt undoubtedly unquestionably

WEAK

accordingly as a matter of course axiomatically beyond one's control by definition by its own nature cardinally come what may compulsorily consequently exigently from within fundamentally incontrovertibly indubitably ineluctably inescapably inexorably irresistibly of course of necessity perforce positively pressingly significantly unpreventably vitally willy-nilly without fail

Antonyms

STRONGEST

doubtfully questionably

WEAK

unnecessarily

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.

“I don’t think you necessarily need college anymore,” said Shraman Kar, 19, who left Stanford after completing his freshman year last spring, then raised $4.5 million for his AI video startup Golpo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Together with Flea’s bass line, it creates a universally palatable sound that you don’t necessarily have to listen to closely to understand its positivity.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

While it may seem like the lowest-income earners in the U.S. are always behind, that’s not always necessarily the case.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

I would stand in our kitchen at dusk, the marine layer settling in, peaceful as I loaded the dishwasher in a life I hadn’t necessarily seen for myself.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Opinion, experience and persuasion were necessarily unreliable and unsatisfactory; knowledge had to be built on firmer foundations.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

necessarily

Example Sentences

Related Words