Definitions

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.

Appeared in the January 17, 2026, print edition as 'Is Drinking Alone OK, Or Necessarily Lonely?'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026

Necessarily, such a measure will incorporate value judgements.

From Science Daily • Nov. 15, 2024

In L.A. you’re premiering “Not Necessarily in Arms Reach,” a piece you wrote for two tubas.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2024

Less Cab Calloway and Sammy Davis Jr. and more midnight Mary at the altar working out the complexities of faith, her reading of “It Ain’t Necessarily So” expands the lexicon of jazz spirituality.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2023

Necessarily, the very thin gold leaf always covers and reaches beyond the spot to be tooled.

From Book Repair and Restoration by Buck, Mitchell

Vocabulary lists containing necessarily

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

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SHSAT: Language of the Test

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